The site of this project is a corner covering 60 square meters, located at the exit of the subway station on the subway floor of IGC Plaza in Guangzhou, China. As a respond to the fast-paced traffic flow there, we wanted to create a temporary and comfortable ‘leisure’ experience. The lively and open form of the space we designed not only makes it a space for interpersonal interaction, but also addresses the commercial consumption relationship between take-out and dine-in in an adaptable way. 

Unlike the dull layout of conventional commercial streets where the indoor private space is completely separated from the outdoor public space by closed curtain walls, our space structure adopts a relatively vivid and open corridor form, with a round and gentle circular roof supported by the columns that give a visual sense of lightness. It introduces the city view into the space, and the changes of light and shadow and people passing by all become an important part of the entire space scene. 

The store is located at the elevator corner which connects the subway and the office building. A designed circular shape perfectly addresses the commercial pain point of the original square shape. It not only improves the efficiency of ordering, but also solves the problem of people staying in the space. More, it creates a resting place for office workers between office and home. The creativity of this space focuses more on the customers per se. Through an active dialogue with both nature and city, we redefine the boundary between indoor and outdoor. 

The connecting corridors and patios blur the dividing line between indoor and outdoor, and this is where photosynthesis begins to take place, where the rhythm of breathing is calmed, where people could enjoy the aroma of coffee at this invention of city corner. While creating a comfortable space for customers, we also hope to bring a thoughtful way of living to every corner of the city. Through our design, we expect to create more city corners that worth deep meditation.