ERC Cafe: A Greenhouse of Dynamic Visual Experiences

Ya Wun Yang and Yun Fang Huang's Award-Winning Cafe Design

The design of ERC Cafe was largely influenced by its corner location, curtain wall glass windows, and the client's request for a creative infusion of red brick wall and plants. The designers took advantage of these features to create a space that resembles a greenhouse, providing enriched dynamic visual experiences.

What sets ERC Cafe apart from other commercial spaces is its unique blend of classic elements such as red bricks, metal work, cement finished surfaces, and an outstanding design feature of fabric. The design team believed that the cafe's wide range of consumer segments warranted a free-flowing and soft texture fabric to soften up the rustic and hard spatiality with a feminine touch.

The cafe was realized using a variety of materials including fabric, metal work, vintage red tiles, grinding stone, glass, timber, and mineral paint. The design area of the two levels is of 218 square meters in total, mainly comprised of front entrance, counter, kitchen, and seating areas such as sofa area, bar stool area, community table, and normal coffee table area.

In terms of spatial layout, the designers expanded the double ceiling height area at the building entrance, which increased the vertical spatial connection with transparent spatial quality. The kitchen was moved to the same side as the counter to create a more functional and flowing working circulation.

The project was completed in February 2019 in New Taipei City, Taiwan. The design team faced challenges in using fabric in the space, considering its maintenance and installation technique. However, they successfully overcame these challenges, resulting in a seemingly effortless articulation of the envisaged arch shape.

The ERC Cafe is a testament to the designers' ability to create a balanced spatial quality by complementing solid and robust metal work with soft and translucent fabric material, as well as by the authentic red brick wall. The design was awarded the Golden A' Design Award, reflecting the designers' prodigy and wisdom and their significant impact on the world with their desirable characteristics.