The design of Café Chez W by atelier TUO in Nanjing, China, seeks to create a distinctive atmosphere by blending new and recycled materials while embracing the site’s unique characteristics. The project prioritizes sustainability in space layout, material selection, and construction techniques.

In terms of space, the goal is to create a coffee environment with ample natural light and smooth ventilation to reduce operational costs. To achieve this, we retained openings on both the front and rear façades, using folding doors. These doors can be fully opened during most seasons, ensuring optimal ventilation and sunlight.

Regarding material selection, we visited local reclaimed wood markets and carefully studied the properties of various regional woods, which are widely used throughout the project. Cedar, known for its stable anti-corrosion and compression properties, is commonly used in the structural components of ancient buildings and is often found in the reclaimed wood market. After selection, suitable old cedar was chosen for the café's columns. Old lauan wood, with its beautiful cut texture and excellent physical properties, is ideal for stools, tables, shelves, and other movable furniture. These pieces are fixed in size and interchangeable, providing convenience for production and later use. Reclaimed hemlock wood, with its clear and attractive grain, displays warm and vintage patterns, making it perfect for the bar and cabinet decorative side panels in the design. Elm is used for the countertops.

Prioritizing various types of wood, the design introduces additional materials to complement the wood, energizing the space and making the construction process more sustainable. Materials with different origins and life cycles are logically combined to create a cohesive atmosphere, which reflects the guiding principle of material use in this design.