Header: Daisuke Shima
Situated in the bustling heart of Kyoto on Karasuma-dori street, the Suetomi AoQ Cafe Stand is a tiny architectural marvel with a depth of just one meter. Designed by G ARCHITECTS STUDIO, the stand seamlessly fuses traditional Japanese aesthetics with contemporary design principles, offering a space that is both a nod to Kyoto’s history and a functional piece of modern architecture.
This coffee stand represents AoQ, a new brand established by SUETOMI, Kyoto’s iconic confectionery shop known for over 70 years of artisanal sweets. Located just three minutes from SUETOMI’s flagship store, the stand serves as a visual and conceptual extension of the brand’s legacy, drawing customers from the busy street into its historical narrative.
Designing the space: A compact gem
Despite its modest dimensions, the cafe stand makes a bold impression. Its floor plan was quickly decided: a straightforward layout with the kitchen and a resting area placed side by side along the street-facing facade. However, the true design challenge lay in creating the stand’s elevations and facade, which needed to reflect SUETOMI’s deep-rooted heritage while adhering to cityscape regulations.
The solution came through innovative material experimentation. The architects used copper foil for the walls, chemically aged with soy sauce and ammonium chloride to achieve a unique patina finish. This patina, a rich bluish-green hue, pays homage to “Suetomi blue,” the confectioner’s corporate color. The reddish-brown tones created through slower oxidation further complement the design, blending historical texture with modern artistry.
Without these chemical treatments, achieving the desired color transformation would have required years of natural exposure to Kyoto’s elements – three months for the reddish tones and a full decade for the patina. By controlling this aging process, the architects effectively “designed time,” merging tradition with contemporary ingenuity.
A living signboard and a light for the streets
More than just a coffee stand, the structure acts as a one-meter-thick signboard, guiding visitors from Karasuma-dori to the flagship store. The patina finish was applied in key areas: the prominent side facing the intersection and the resting area, creating visual continuity that leads pedestrians toward SUETOMI’s main location.
The stand remains an integral part of the cityscape even after closing hours. The resting area is concealed behind a mesh roll screen, originally used in construction scaffolding. When illuminated at night, the screen mimics the appearance of traditional bamboo blinds, once associated with Japanese noble families. This glowing facade functions as a street lamp, adding ambiance for pedestrians while doubling as a billboard for the AoQ brand.
Blending past and present
At the core of the Suetomi AoQ Cafe Stand’s design is Ryohei Tanaka and G ARCHITECTS STUDIO’s mission to harmonize the past with the present. This philosophy acknowledges Japan’s rich cultural heritage while addressing the challenges of modern urban landscapes. The firm’s work provides an inspiring model for thoughtful, context-sensitive architecture in a city like Kyoto, where historical charm coexists with modernity.
Using copper, a material historically revered in Japanese design and employing modern techniques to accelerate its transformation, G ARCHITECTS STUDIO has crafted a story structure. It bridges SUETOMI’s storied past with its future, inviting locals and travelers to experience a taste of Kyoto’s legacy through design.