Introduction:Nestled within Chengdu’s Kuanzhai Alley, an Sichuan-style courtyard house built during the Kangxi era has been transformed into a unique space for %Arabica Coffee. This article takes you behind the scenes to explore how designers revitalized this historic architecture with minimalist modern techniques while preserving its timeless charm. It also delves into the feng shui principles and maintenance ingenuity behind the central courtyard’s “water pond” concept, allowing you to savor not just coffee but also the harmonious blend of history and contemporary spatial aesthetics.
Deep within Chengdu’s Kuanzhai Alley, a courtyard house dating back to the Kangxi period has been reborn as a %Arabica Coffee shop, where minimalist modern design dialogues with traditional architecture. More than just a place to enjoy coffee, it stands as a model of perfect harmony between history and contemporary style.
During the renovation, the design team chose to retain the original wooden structure, reinforcing it with steel where necessary to ensure the old building’s safety and stability. The floor is paved with grey bricks, and both walkways and seating areas use consistent materials, creating a visual effect that blends seamlessly with the building’s blue bricks and black tiles, resulting in a more harmonious overall space.
This hidden courtyard in the bustling city offers visitors a rare moment of tranquility. The original design intention was to build upon the old structure itself, integrating it into the surrounding historically rich environment—allowing customers to not only enjoy their coffee but also to appreciate the local cultural context and historical ambiance through the details of the space.
To preserve as much of the original building as possible, the wooden structure has been fully retained, with some sections reinforced discreetly using steel to maintain the traditional feel while meeting modern safety requirements. The grey brick flooring and stools are thoughtfully arranged along both sides of the walkway, echoing the architectural style and infusing the entire space with a strong sense of history and regional character.
Among the design elements, the central courtyard is arguably one of the shop’s highlights. According to traditional Chinese feng shui principles, a water pond is often placed directly opposite the main gate of a courtyard, symbolizing family harmony, prosperity, and wealth accumulation. However, constructing an actual pond inside a café presents numerous practical maintenance challenges.
To address this, the design team cleverly incorporated the visual essence of a water pond by paving the courtyard floor with stones to evoke the illusion of water. Floor-to-ceiling glass panels surround the area, not only allowing natural light to flood in but also immersing the interior in a soft, ambient glow. Additionally, water lily leaves are thoughtfully placed throughout the courtyard to further enhance the “pond” motif, transforming the entire zone into a serene, still-water-like space. A ring of pure white seating is arranged around it like the edge of a water surface, adding depth and a sense of calm to the area.
The café’s counter is positioned directly opposite the central courtyard’s “water pond,” designed in a pure white tone that blends seamlessly with the building’s natural hues, creating a minimalist yet elegant atmosphere. As customers move, converse, and rest within the space, the overall experience flows and shifts dynamically, presenting a unique spatial rhythm.
By retaining the original structure and traditional elements of the old building and combining them with minimalist aesthetics and the functionality of a modern café, this establishment successfully creates a space where history and contemporary design engage in ongoing dialogue. It offers not just a great cup of coffee, but also a serene journey through time—where Sichuan-style architecture meets modern design in perfect harmony.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
