Architects Kengo Kuma and Associates have designed the Cs Somme cafe in the coastal city of Fukuoka on the northern Japanese island of Kyushu. The structure is covered by a thin metal mesh “tent” that makes the building appear to float above a small green oasis surrounded by urban development.
The external steel frame with an arched support is integrated into the structure and connected to the internal lattice frame. This interaction of structural elements ensures seismic resistance, despite the visual lightness of the building. Kengo Kuma and his team rethought the traditional design of the flying buttress – a stone half-arch that transfers the thrust of the vaults of Gothic churches to the supporting pillars.
The metal mesh helps save energy: thanks to it, natural light enters the cafe.
Under the “vaults” of the metal mesh there is a cube with panoramic windows – it houses the main hall of the cafe in a light monochrome palette, which is enlivened by furniture made of wood with a warm texture. In the center there is an asymmetrical plaster counter with soft curves, repeated in translucent lamps made of elastic fabric. The architects sought to achieve the effect of weightlessness, so that the ordinary ritual of going to the cafe could cause poetic experiences in visitors.
