© Space Station Architects / Photography: Weiqi Jin

Life is good in Chengdu, and if you ask the young movers and shakers of this boomtown, it just got a little bit better. Enter the Crimson Coffee café, a coffee parlour which has shaken up the local hospitality scene with its palatial premises, drawing crowds from all over town to its suburban location. The café, situated next to the parking lot of Haichang Ocean Park, a highly popular sea-themed amusement park, occupies no less than 400 sqm. (4,036 sq.ft.) set across the ground floor and a mezzanine level of an existing standalone building. The lofty and light-filled space, designed by Beijing-based practice Space Station Architects, features an understated design yet oozes grandeur thanks to simple and evocative interventions. The building has previously seen a number of transformations, and much has been retained, notably the mezzanine floor and the decorative tile flooring near the entrance in the voluminous front section of Crimson Coffee café. Here, a double-tiered canopy of arches, all crafted from lightweight foam, has seemingly been inserted, and being backlit, the structure lends an undeniable splendour to the setting.

A series of suspended aluminium-framed and fabric-clad foam partitions are aligned with the arches, creating not only intimate seating sections, but also contributing to a balanced acoustic environment. Advancing further, additional seating arrangements can be found, and right below the mezzanine floor, a double bar unit with tiled countertops is situated. The mezzanine floor serves mainly as an exhibition and multi-purpose events space, and is furnished with a small service counter and a tiered coffee tasting table which is used by baristas in training. At the back of Crimson Coffee café another voluminous space can be found with more visually enticing suspended arches, right over sets of comfy sofas and other seating arrangements, including chairs right at the service counter, albeit in partitioned sections. The restrooms are situated on one side of the premises, discreetly concealed by large timber panelling. So, what’s on the menu? Crimson Coffee café serves a variety of classic coffee options, using different coffee blends, and teas, in addition to small dishes, such as salads and sandwiches, and desserts.

Crimson Coffee
2039 Tianfu Dadao Nan Dian, Building 6, Ground Floor (Yanjiawan)
610213 Chengdu
Daily 9-7

© Space Station Architects / Photography: Weiqi Jin