Rui Lei Cafe: A Blend of Tradition and Modernity

Artistic Innovation Meets Coffee Culture in Han Lee's Award-Winning Design

Derived from the Chinese mortise and tenon joints of ancient wood construction, "Rui" represents the architectural inspiration behind this design. "Lei", symbolizing flower blooming, signifies the transformation of a small, old-time house into a vibrant, cultural space. The design employs dozens of solid wood sticks imported from Russia, arranged in layers to mimic the tempo of brewing coffee and the densely packed buildings of urban Shenyang.

The central wooden column, connected to the hanging solid wood column, serves as the visual focus of the design. This column, along with the coffee beans on the ground, represents the ritual of brewing coffee, from roasting the beans to serving the ready drink. The stage, decorated with dining tables and seats upholstered with imported leather, is combined with solid wood sticks of Southern pine. The designer uses different shades of brown to create a visual image of coffee culture, with the natural cracks in the wood preserving the wood's aroma.

The design's unique properties lie in its blend of Chinese architectural elements with Western coffee culture. The space is adorned with imported woods and stylish art decorations, with a re-planned interaction flow and the use of building materials visually enlarging the space. The indoor area is approximately 120 square feet, filled with wooden sticks, coffee, and traditional architectural techniques, creating a unique cultural space.

The project, which started in October 2017 and finished in February 2018, was a collaboration between Han Lee, Gao Yang Jyun, and a local construction team in Shenyang. Despite the short time frame and the challenges of working during the frozen soil period in winter, the team managed to realize the owner's vision and highlight the space's unique features.

The design has been recognized with a Silver A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2019. This prestigious award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation. The Rui Lei Cafe design, with its strong technical characteristics and splendid artistic skill, certainly fits this description.