Creating a Shared Landscape Within a Large Café.

How can a brand’s story become a space within a large café?

At ARIRANG DOWON, water, planting, mountain forms and light sit at the centre of a tall interior. We translated a landscape inspired by Irworobongdo, the painting of the sun, moon and five peaks, into a space that people enter, walk through and spend time in.

From the entrance, past the counter and into a seat, the same landscape is encountered at different heights and distances, allowing the story of the space to continue.

ATELIER SOW · Architecture · Interior Design · Construction · Spatial Identity

ARIRANG DOWON interior with its central water feature, natural stone, lotus leaves, mountain forms and light — Water, planting, mountain forms and light form a central scene at ARIRANG DOWON.

From the Landscape of Irworobongdo to a Space to Walk Into.

Irworobongdo was the starting point for the space at ARIRANG DOWON. We translated its landscape into ink-dark walls, mountain forms, water, planting and light.

Ink-dark lines along the walls, rising mountain forms and a water feature beneath them create different depths. A scene that begins like a painting changes as people approach it and move to another place.

We wanted the brand’s story to become a landscape encountered on entering, rather than remain only in its name or description.

The Same Landscape, Seen from Different Heights.

The opening between floors and the central water feature form the heart of ARIRANG DOWON. On the lower floor, water, natural stone and planting are encountered up close. From the upper floor, the view takes in the space as a whole, including the counter and seating.

The scene changes according to where a person sits. Yet different floors and seats were planned to share one central landscape. We considered how people could find their own place within a large space while retaining a sense of belonging to the same setting.

View from ARIRANG DOWON’s upper-floor seating towards the central water feature, counter and mountain forms opposite — From the upper floor, the relationship between the central water feature, ordering point and places to stay comes into view.

Beneath a High Ceiling, Light Is Placed Close to People.

The height of the large interior is revealed against a backdrop of black steel ceiling structure and walls. Below it are lights suspended close to seats, light beneath benches, and light illuminating water and planting.

We considered both the scale seen from a distance and the scene encountered when seated. Alongside views open to the high ceiling, light near tables and chairs allows landscapes at different distances to overlap.

Benches and low lighting beneath ARIRANG DOWON’s high black steel ceiling, alongside ink-dark walls and indoor planting — The tall interior and lighting close to the seats form one scene.

The Counter and the Smallest Details Belong to the Same Story.

The counter where drinks are prepared and guests are welcomed is also part of this landscape. The long counter and its beverage equipment sit against an ink-dark wall, with light running along its rough surface.

Up close, the grain of natural stone, lotus leaves, reflections in water and a wooden boat object create another scene. From the impression of the whole space to the details encountered nearby, we considered how everything could continue within one story.

Rough-textured counter, light along the worktop and beverage equipment against an ink-dark wall at ARIRANG DOWON — An ink-dark wall, the rough character of the counter and light at the place where drinks are prepared.

Natural stone, lotus leaves, a circular stone detail and reflected light in ARIRANG DOWON’s water feature — Stone, planting and reflections seen close to the water.

A wooden boat object among natural stone and lotus leaves in ARIRANG DOWON’s indoor water feature — A wooden boat object among natural stone and lotus leaves.

We consider how a brand’s story can become a landscape in which people spend time.

BEFORE A CONVERSATION

Tell Us What Kind of Place You Want to Create, Alongside Its Atmosphere.

It is fine to begin with images you like. Discussing what appeals to you in those images and what you want guests to experience helps us develop the direction of the space together.

What Do You Want to Convey?

Your brand’s story and values, and the scenes you would like guests to remember.

How Will People Spend Time Here?

Your menu and way of operating, how guests choose, order and sit, and the kinds of seating you want.

What Are the Starting Conditions?

Photographs or plans of the proposed space, known conditions such as floors and ceiling heights, and your intended schedule and budget range.