When it comes to architecture and interior design in China, one can’t help but think of the many shiny, prestigious venues which have popped up nationwide in the past decades. Although many are indeed noteworthy, we’re happy to see an increasing number of interesting projects outside of the limelight, oozing a more democratic vibe, and yet ticking all our boxes. One of the venues that caught our eye is Sunset Café, a popular café and restaurant founded by an in-the-know creative trio in the Jinjiang neighbourhood in downtown Chengdu. Although called Sunset Café, its name is derived from its Chinese name 三圣食堂, or Sansheng Cafeteria, which in turn comes from an eponymous tea parlour which previously occupied the premises. Initially concepted as a pop-up café, Sunset Café has evolved into a permanent establishment, becoming one of the most popular hangouts for a new breed of savvy consumers. And if you ask us, the contemporary interior design by local practice iZ has got a lot to do with it.
Low-key but cool, the chosen aesthetic not only blends retro, mid-century and a hint of brutalism into a mix, but also traces of the former tea house, and all that easily allows this hospitality concept to shift from coffee shop in the morning, to lunch spot, and then, bar in the evening. Sunset Café covers an area of just 80 sqm. (861 sq.ft.) and comprises of two separate rooms, a kitchen, and lining the entire façade, a roofed terrace with additional seating. The room settings are framed by rows of suspended elongated light fixtures, terrazzo flooring, and apart from a section opposite the bar which intentionally bares the building’s rough edges, white walls. Furnishings are both custom-made and sourced, and include an elongated wooden bench, Thonet chairs and stools by Artek. The menu at Sunset Café predominantly lists various coffee concoctions, including ones inspired by the previous teahouse, wines, cocktails and a mix of Chinese and international bites and dishes. The founders would like to see the establishment as a living room of the city’s creative scene, and as such, it collaborates with brands, artists and designers on events and pop-ups.
Sunset Café
11 Hongbu Zheng Jie, Unit 1 (Jinjiang)
610056 Chengdu
Telephone: +86 180 81739723
Daily 11.30-7.30
Publishers Note
Just to be clear – superfuture® is a design blog and not a political commentator. No surprise there. The scope of our content has always been global and borderless, however that can often mean covering projects in countries where we will not agree with the politics or actions of those countries. In a world that’s as screwed up as ever right now, the focus of our support is to those designers, architects and other creatives who aim to make the world a more liveable one – as opposed to people that try their hardest to destroy it. So if a project hits our desk and we like it based on its design credentials, we may choose to publish regardless of its location or creators nationality. superfuture® has always been inclusive and hopes for all current wars, aggression, violence, hate and extremism to end.
