Concrete Prefabricated House Cafe
There are abundant application cases of concrete prefabricated houses in cafe design, achieving a balance between functionality and aesthetics through modular materials and spatial innovation. Here are specific case analyses:
1. Double S Specialty Cafe: Modular Materials Reconstruct Spatial Narratives
Located in Bangkok, Thailand, this cafe was unable to modify its original building structure due to regulatory restrictions. The design team adopted the concept of 'from SEED to SIP', using concrete prefabricated blocks as the core material, combined with stainless steel and shutters, to create a new image while preserving the original facade. Concrete blocks were used for wall decoration and functional zoning, with their regular geometric shapes and rough textures forming visual focal points, while enabling rapid construction through modular combinations. This design not only met regulatory requirements but also created an industrial-modern fusion atmosphere through material contrasts (such as concrete and metal), becoming a social hub for community residents.
2. Blue Bottle Coffee Shanghai West Bund Store: Material Dialogues in Historical Context
Situated on the former site of the Shanghai Cement Plant, the design was inspired by the concept of a 'floating canvas', selecting prefabricated concrete blocks to construct the main structures of the bar counter and seat bases. The industrial nature of the concrete blocks contrasts with the natural texture of the pine wood surfaces, echoing the site's history (cement production) while enhancing spatial hierarchy through material contrasts. The standardized production of prefabricated concrete blocks ensured construction efficiency, while their unadorned surfaces, retaining the mold marks from casting, further reinforced industrial aesthetic characteristics. This design strategy transformed the cafe into a cultural carrier connecting the past and present.
3. French Kitsch III: Spatial Poetics of Concrete Mass and Arch Structures
Located in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, this project used board-molded poured concrete to shape its external mass, while dividing the interior space with a series of parametrically designed arch structures. The design team derived four variant arch cross-sections from the geometric prototype of a 'croissant cross-section curve', repeating them in a 360-square-meter space to create a rhythmic sense of unity and variation. The heaviness of the concrete contrasts with the light curves of the arches, while the precise assembly of prefabricated concrete components reflects the integration of digital design and industrial construction. This spatial treatment not only optimized acoustic effects but also created an immersive experiential environment through geometric order.
Technical Insights: The application of concrete prefabricated houses in cafe design demonstrates the support of modular materials for spatial flexibility, the ability to translate materials in historical contexts, and the deepening of spatial aesthetics through parametric design. Future exploration can further focus on low-carbon production and intelligent construction technologies for prefabricated components to enhance sustainability and efficiency.
