Laihui: A Café Design by Zhenan Hou

Bringing Specialty Coffee to Ordinary Life

With the concept of "Bringing Specialty Coffee to Ordinary Life," Laihui café is the first of its kind in the Liuyun Estate, a peaceful local neighborhood surrounded by shopping malls in the center of Guangzhou, China. The design utilizes pure and solid materials such as cement and wood to minimize distractions and allow people to focus on the coffee itself. The main concept behind the design is "sharing," creating a space where people can come together and enjoy the experience of coffee.

The café features an open-ended bar with a large window, allowing customers to interact with the barista while observing the brewing process. The seating area is designed to facilitate easy conversation and foster a sense of community. The goal was to establish a harmonious relationship between humans and space, as well as within the community.

The design process began in October 2017 and was completed in July 2018 in Guangzhou. The team faced challenges in maintaining the focus on coffee and avoiding any elements that would distract from the coffee experience. Additionally, the original building was old and divided into multiple rooms, requiring structural reinforcement and the creation of a unified space.

Zhenan Hou's approach to the design was influenced by the growing trend of comprehensive coffee spaces that often overshadow the core role of coffee. By prioritizing the coffee itself and ensuring that every element of the design complements it, the Laihui café offers a pure space for enjoying coffee and immersing oneself in the atmosphere.

The Laihui café design received the Bronze A' Design Award in the Interior Space, Retail, and Exhibition Design category in 2019. This prestigious award recognizes designs that demonstrate creativity, resourcefulness, and a commitment to improving quality of life. The Laihui café design stood out for its incorporation of best practices in art, science, design, and technology.