The Ban Shan Café

By: Sia Lim

The Ban Shan Café is designed to demonstrate an experimental approach to texture and makes use of variety of eclectic materials that recall the imagery of its natural surroundings. Designers from Robot3 received a project from Beijing Owei Cultural Development, the owners of Ban Shan Café. It was to convert a solid office building at the foot of Fragrant Hills of Beijing. The Café is located at the BeijingJing Yuan Arts Centre. The project was to turn the first and second floor of the office building into a “free Café” where visitors can sit and communicate comfortably.

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 Because of limited budget, the team was only able to use common materials. Pine stick wall, cement, brick, wood, and paper board are main materials to the Café. The chosen materials satisfy the goals for the space: limited budget and replication of the experience of mountains.

  

Fresh breeze and warm sunlight come into the space directly, and the smell of wood and plants give relaxation to the visitors. Furniture and decorations to the space are arranged freely and asymmetrically. Therefore, the Ban Shan Café is designed perfectly for any local visitors to escape from the complex society.­