Project Name: MAY DAY CAFE

Location: Yeoju-si, South Korea

Design Team: SPACE DOT

Total Floor Area: 330 m²

Completion: 2022

Photography: Courtesy of SPACE DOT

Feature:

Project - SPACE DOT transformed a site in the historic village of Taepyeong-ri, Yeoju into May Day Cafe. Completed in 2022, the project fully embodies the core philosophy of providing "complete rest" spaces for urban dwellers. Taepyeong-ri has historically been a place where scholars traveling to Hanyang for civil service examinations would pause to rest, named for its peaceful and harmonious energy.

The design of May Day Cafe began with a clear concept: creating a space that could "embrace the sky." The architects were inspired by a towering cedar tree named "Owol-i" (May) at the center of the site, whose form—branching skyward from a single trunk into two arms—directly influenced the cafe's twin-building configuration. The architects positioned Building A to house the kitchen and staff areas, while Building B opens panoramically through floor-to-ceiling windows on all four sides, offering unobstructed views of the mountain ridgeline.

The core highlight of the project is its sensitive response to the site's disrupted topography from development. To conceal the incongruous retaining walls created by construction, Building A was strategically arranged as a screen, while Building B, positioned at the village's highest point, maximizes connection with the natural landscape. The architects chose stone and wood as primary materials—elements once native to the land—as a gesture of homage to the nature lost to development.

In terms of material selection, the architects deliberately chose elements that echo the site's original natural state. Stone and wood finishes serve not only as aesthetic choices but also as environmental memorials. Tranquil reflecting pools on either side of the building capture the ever-changing colors of the sky as they shift with wind, while a large window beneath the grand roof fully frames the sky and scenery of Taepyeong-ri, and lower side windows bring in natural light that transforms with the seasons.

The lighting design emphasizes the seasonal variations of natural light, with the interplay of warm timber and overall white spatial voids creating a soothing and serene atmosphere. The central cedar "Owol-i" serves not only as the source of design inspiration but also becomes a key element symbolizing the cafe's identity—a space providing May-like warmth, comfort, and stability for rest.

By combining cultural memory, natural inspiration, and contemporary architectural design, SPACE DOT created a modern sanctuary that transcends traditional commercial spaces, authentically expressing a contemporary interpretation of Korea's traditional rest stops, providing a place of tranquility and restoration for weary urban travelers.

Design Team - SPACE DOT was established in 2021 by Seungwon Lee and Kyung Il Kim. The firm specializes in hospitality and commercial architecture design, known for its unique understanding of spatial fundamentalism—believing that architecture begins with individual points that aggregate into lines, surfaces, and ultimately cohesive spatial experiences.

The firm's representative works demonstrate their commitment to contextually responsive design, gaining international recognition within just a few years, including the UNESCO Prix Versailles 2024 for Restaurants, the iF Design Award 2025 in Interior Architecture (one of the world's top three design awards), and the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards 2024 Asia-Café category.

Under the continued leadership of Seungwon Lee and Kyung Il Kim, SPACE DOT has established its position among Korea's emerging architectural practices. The firm's design methodology transcends conventional aesthetic considerations, prioritizing sensory and emotional engagement while maintaining functional performance. They demonstrate particular expertise in adaptive site strategies, material authenticity, and biophilic design integration.

SPACE DOT's creative philosophy emphasizes that each project should carry unique brand narratives, combining the cultural significance of place with contemporary functional requirements. They believe space is the art form closest to our lives, therefore committed to creating architectural experiences that not only impress visually but also resonate with users on sensory and emotional levels. The May Day Cafe project fully demonstrates their exceptional ability to transform brand concepts into architectural experiences.