Project Name: % Arabica Hangzhou MixC

Location: Hangzhou, China

Design Team: Nguyen Khai Architects & Associates (NKAA)

Total Floor Area: 150 m²

Completion: 2025

Photography: Guowei Liu

Feature: Vietnamese architectural practice Nguyen Khai Architects & Associates has created an extraordinary % Arabica coffee shop at the main entrance of Hangzhou's MixC mall, perfectly embodying the sophisticated fusion of dynamic façade design and brand identity innovation. Located at this landmark retail and lifestyle destination's prominent position, the project seamlessly integrates contemporary architectural innovation with immersive coffee culture experience.

The project's most striking design feature lies in its towering façade composed of hundreds of white, rotatable Chemex plates, carefully arranged in both solid and outlined forms. This dynamic surface creates ever-changing patterns that shift with the angle of sunlight and movement of passersby, producing captivating play of light and shadow throughout the day. The rhythmic composition not only establishes a strong and instantly recognizable brand identity but also introduces texture and depth that softens the architectural scale, transforming the exterior into a "living surface."

The architectural strategy ingeniously employs a distinctive tunnel-like design configuration, defined by two bold gate structures that extend outward from the original façade. These sculptural forms, unified in both material and tone, establish a strong architectural rhythm that guides visitors naturally inward. As customers enter the store, signature brand elements—% floor sign, bean cellar, and merchandise shelf—reinforce % Arabica's identity while enriching the spatial experience.

Soft pools of light from custom Chemex lamps overhead in the main space cast a warm, welcoming glow, highlighting the continuity between design and brand narrative. The kitchen counter, positioned at the tunnel's center end and framed by two rows of custom-designed benches, encourages interaction and creates a balanced dialogue between movement and pause within the store.

The outdoor furniture design carries forward the same visual language and material palette as the indoor setting, ensuring seamless continuity between interior and exterior realms. The clean lines and warm tones of the seating are complemented by thoughtfully arranged planters and generous layers of greenery, which soften the architectural edges and introduce a refreshing natural presence. This integration of landscape elements not only enhances the aesthetic harmony of the storefront but also creates a calm and restorative atmosphere, resulting in an inviting outdoor space that encourages visitors to pause, relax, and linger.

Design Team - Nguyen Khai Architects & Associates (NKAA) was founded in 2016 by architect Nguyen Quang Khai in Hue, Vietnam, establishing itself as a distinguished practice specializing in minimalist architecture and interior design. Under Khai's continued leadership as principal architect, the studio has developed a distinctive design philosophy that seamlessly integrates natural elements with contemporary spatial strategies, promoting sustainable living through thoughtful architectural interventions.

The firm's design philosophy is centered on site-responsive design and the fusion of nature with art, with each project originating from meticulous analysis of local cultural and environmental contexts rather than following predetermined stylistic frameworks. NKAA's commitment to sustainable design is demonstrated through its holistic approach, creating environments that foster human well-being while respecting local cultural and climatic conditions.

The practice's portfolio showcases exceptional design sensitivity, including internationally recognized award-winning residential projects—Labri House and Nala House—which exemplify the firm's mastery in material honesty, spatial efficiency, and biophilic design principles. NKAA's recent expansion into commercial architecture demonstrates the practice's evolving typological expertise and ability to translate their signature minimalist vocabulary into retail environments.

Recent accolades include multiple international design recognitions, with the studio's practice approach emphasizing thorough site analysis and client collaboration to create architecture that successfully balances contemporary innovation with timeless design principles while fostering deep connections between people and space. NKAA's architectural language is founded on values of creativity, harmony, and environmental integration, creating architectural works that are both rooted in place and embrace global architectural design standards through the transformative power of thoughtful, sustainable, and innovative design.