Fuwa Fuwa: A Blend of Tradition and Modernity

Ryan Chung's Award-Winning Dessert Café Design in Toronto

Located in a traditional plaza, Fuwa Fuwa is neither a quick coffee stop nor a sit-down restaurant. It exists in the intersection of the two, cultivating the visual aesthetics of both. The café's design reflects the vibrant brightness of youth-led culture and the solid steadfast quality of a classic eatery, while also infusing visual traits of Japanese design to reflect the Japanese-style dessert it serves.

The café's unique properties lie in its embodiment of the youthful energy of the desserts they serve and the spirit of exploration and novelty found in the narrow walkways of old Kyoto streets. The seating arrangement allows for an unobstructed view and pathway down the length of the entire space, creating a unique focal point of depth, volume, and curiosity.

Lighting and color play vital roles in achieving a warm ambiance. The design team worked closely with a lighting consultant to develop a solution that ensures an even spread of light as it interacts with different material layers, softly illuminating the café and connecting adjacent areas.

The design pays homage to traditional temples found in Kyoto with its wooden posts, hanging menus, and visual proportions. The food prep counter, reminiscent of street vendor stalls, is visible on the side, allowing customers to watch their food being prepared. The original flooring was kept, imperfections and all, to honor the imprint of time it reflects.

Despite the challenges posed by the narrow and long space, the design successfully fulfills three key needs: a space for delivery workers to wait, privacy for in-store customers, and an accessible and highly visible front of house. The solution highlights the length of the space to create the effect of a warm Japanese alley street, while the sales counter effectively becomes the entrance, creating two zones hidden from one another.

The café's design has been recognized for its innovation and excellence, winning the Silver A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2023. This prestigious award is rewarded to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that illustrate outstanding expertise and innovation.