Decade The Love

A Coffee House Designed by Yong Zhang

Under the cloak of rapid urban development, people often seek psychological security in concrete buildings. However, Decade The Love challenges this notion by offering a space that promotes a slow lifestyle. Designed by Yong Zhang, this coffee shop is the first of its kind in Tianjin, combining music criticism, music culture, and fashionable peripheral products to create a unique experience for its customers.

The design of Decade The Love focuses on simplicity and transparency. The use of white orange terrazzo and large glass windows allows abundant natural light to fill the narrow and long space, creating a sense of openness. Mirrored stainless steel is cleverly used to hide storage areas and visually widen the space, while a circle of symbolic linear lights adds to the architectural language of the coffee house.

With an area of approximately 60 square meters, Decade The Love eliminates the cramped feeling of the original space and replaces it with an interesting and inviting atmosphere. The design incorporates mirrored stainless steel to create a visual widening effect, dispersing the narrow sense of space. Additionally, a circle of symbolic linear lights adds a touch of artistic flair to the coffee house.

The interaction between customers and the design of Decade The Love is carefully considered. The dessert cabinet and bar are completely transparent, allowing customers to observe the coffee-making process. The concise and delicate design of the space directs the focus towards the coffee and desserts, creating a pure modernist style.

The project started in April 2019 and was completed in August 2019 in Tianjin. Throughout the design process, the team faced challenges in transforming a narrow and dark street shop into a unique cafe. By preserving part of the old structure and incorporating thoughtful design elements, the team successfully created a space that maximizes the benefits for the owners and provides a memorable experience for customers.

Decade The Love is not only a coffee house but also a cultural hub. The walls are adorned with old records, showcasing the owner's taste and reflecting the cafe's music review theme. A sculpture holding a tray near the entrance displays customized coffee cups and surrounding products, further highlighting the theme culture of the coffee shop. The design seamlessly transitions between the indoor and outdoor spaces, redefining the relationship between the interior and the surrounding environment.

Decade The Love, designed by Yong Zhang, is a testament to the fusion of art, architecture, design, and lifestyle. Its unique concept and attention to detail have earned it the Bronze A' Design Award in the Interior Space, Retail, and Exhibition Design category in 2020. This award recognizes designs that exhibit strong technical and creative skills, contributing to quality of life improvements and making the world a better place.