Kurasu Pop-Up, Taikoo Li Sanlitun

The Kurasu Pop-up at Taikoo Li Sanlitun, Beijing occupies a compact footprint—8 meters long, 3.5 meters wide, with a height limit of 3.5 meters. Within its modest scale, the design draws on Kurasu’s signature pour-over dripper as a reference, reimagining it as two architectural volumes—one large, one small—articulated with the lightness of origami.

The larger volume, like an inverted coffee dripper, creates an inward-facing space for brewing. The smaller volume tilts outward in a cantilevered gesture, opening onto the street as an interface that fosters a dialogue between the brand and the city.

Given the limited footprint, the design prioritizes spatial efficiency. The larger volume features a compact, efficient layout, with a central linear bar that clearly delineates the service and customer areas. Its “inverted vessel” form creates a sense of enclosure, buffering the interior from the noise of the street.

The wall gently tilts within the service area, freeing up movement behind the bar, while on the customer side, the curvature deepens—enhancing the spatial perception. The result is an intimate, immersive environment, evoking the atmosphere of an izakaya.

The smaller volume cantilevers outward as a visual highlight, doubling as an outdoor display and a place for passersby to pause—transforming the pop-up into a micro urban gallery in Sanlitun.

The operable glass roof addresses potential wind loads during extreme weather while attuning the interior to seasonal changes. As guests enjoy their coffee, their gaze is drawn upward to the shifting sky and the rhythms of surrounding trees.

Rooted in Kurasu’s brand identity, the design uses structure and materials to articulate a cultural narrative. A nuanced interplay of texture and light extends the familiar contrast of the Shenzhen store—cool outside, warm within. Brushed stainless steel, wood-grain aluminum, and beige textured finishes echo both the brand’s crafted wares and Kyoto’s ritual sensibility, while ensuring durability and construction efficiency.

A steel base anchors the two volumes to the ground, quietly bearing structural loads, while its corners are slightly lifted as a nod to the lightness of origami. A mix of dark gravel, natural stone slabs, and scattered rocks forms a courtyard-like setting, accommodating both movement and moments of rest.

The subtle folds and curves along the edges soften the interior light into an ambient glow. In winter, the frosted stainless steel facade reflects the shifting street lighting, while the interior light infuses the compact space with a quiet seasonal warmth.

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Instead of adopting a uniform design language, Atelier L seeks to cultivate an ongoing cross-cultural dialogue, exploring how a slower pace of life can flourish in urban commercial settings. The design reframes the coffee space as part of everyday life, where Kurasu’s pour-over culture takes root in new local contexts—echoing the brand’s vision and the meaning of Kurasu, “to live,” a tribute to everyday living.