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Studio SKLIM creates punctuated spaces and circular geometries to form this cafe in Singapore

Singapore Architecture News - Jan 03, 2020 - 13:39   5300 views

Studio SKLIM creates punctuated spaces and circular geometries to form this cafe in Singapore

Singapore-based design firm Studio SKLIM has created a minimalist cafe in Singapore, the 28-square-metre cafe is only made of punctuated spaces and circular geometries for servis table and ceiling. The design creates a cave-like interior and cozy atmosphere. 

Named Voids Cafe, the small interior space provides a fluid space to allow its clients to move freely around the servis table. The designers described the cafe as "voids are treated as form in this micro cafe" and they said: "the empty space in a coffee cup or "matcha" bowl was the form-giving inspiration for this micro cafe".

Studio SKLIM creates punctuated spaces and circular geometries to form this cafe in Singapore

Negative spaces punctuate the space and circular geometries are consistently carried throughout the rest of the built form carving out seating booths, countertops, display shelves and overhanging canopies. 

It is a process of subtraction and addition to create the operational and anthropometrical needs of the cafe.

Studio SKLIM creates punctuated spaces and circular geometries to form this cafe in Singapore

In this condensed space, it was essential that the studio balanced the numerous kitchen inventory with the customer zones, utilising every nook to add to that experience. 

Studio SKLIM creates punctuated spaces and circular geometries to form this cafe in Singapore

"We were able to create several working and customer zones including an experience/retail display corner, a take-away counter, seating booths and even a small ‘Ritual Counter’ for conducting workshops and making drip coffee or bowls of powdered Japanese green tea ‘matcha’," said the studio.

The designers created an experience circle as a suspended enclosure where customers can duck under and experience the smell of different coffee grounds and tea products. 

Studio SKLIM creates punctuated spaces and circular geometries to form this cafe in Singapore

Counter spaces were carved out to bring together a closer interaction between customer and barista, simultaneously bringing them in closer proximity to the coffee making process with aroma and grinding/tapping sounds. 

Studio SKLIM creates punctuated spaces and circular geometries to form this cafe in Singapore

Customer seating are circular cut-outs in the concrete counters with matching petal-like tables to match. The main powdered pink concrete counter top was custom-casted in 11 separate pieces.

Studio SKLIM creates punctuated spaces and circular geometries to form this cafe in Singapore

Amongst them a minimal surface concrete counter top for takeaways formed by using a special fabric formwork. Cracks were also purposefully cast in the concrete to allow planting to emerge from beneath, an inspiration taken from plants growing on old buildings. 

Circular metal tables were created to project from the walls and similarly from the concrete seating booths. The concrete counter block was visually made to be contiguous with the floor with adjoining gentle curved radii.

Studio SKLIM creates punctuated spaces and circular geometries to form this cafe in Singapore

The entire volume was entirely holstered from the ceiling with no supports connecting the bottom counter top mass, giving a surreal lightness about the whole structure. The overhanging volume was also rendered in heavily textured stucco inspired from gritty coffee grounds to create an anti-gravity coffee cloud. 

Studio SKLIM creates punctuated spaces and circular geometries to form this cafe in Singapore

The resultant aesthetic from subtractions and additions, creates a massing that appears fluid with its own fuzzy logic, certainly not based on any premeditated form or symbol of what a cafe should be.

Studio SKLIM creates punctuated spaces and circular geometries to form this cafe in Singapore

Studio SKLIM creates punctuated spaces and circular geometries to form this cafe in Singapore

Studio SKLIM creates punctuated spaces and circular geometries to form this cafe in Singapore

Studio SKLIM creates punctuated spaces and circular geometries to form this cafe in Singapore

Studio SKLIM creates punctuated spaces and circular geometries to form this cafe in Singapore

Studio SKLIM creates punctuated spaces and circular geometries to form this cafe in Singapore

Diagram

Studio SKLIM creates punctuated spaces and circular geometries to form this cafe in Singapore

Plan

Studio SKLIM creates punctuated spaces and circular geometries to form this cafe in Singapore

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Studio SKLIM creates punctuated spaces and circular geometries to form this cafe in Singapore

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Studio SKLIM creates punctuated spaces and circular geometries to form this cafe in Singapore

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Project facts

Project name: Voids Cafe

Architects: Studio SKLIM

Location: Singapore

Size: 28m2

Date: 2019 

Design Team: Kevin Lim, Ashwin Bafna, Svasti Agrawal

Clients: Grace Espresso

Landscape: Amozonia Landscape

Main Contractor: D’ark Contracts

Stucco: Wall Studio

Lighting: 42 Degrees Asia

Concrete Top: Tsuri Custom Concrete

Custom Metal Work: Trend

All images © Khoo Guo Jie

All drawings © Studio SKLIM

> via Studio SKLIM