selgascano composes transparent seaside cafe from three parallel glass volumes in china

"Between a dense black pine forest and the vast shoreline of Rizhao, China, Chiringuito Café, also known as Coffee and Sea Cafeteria, by Selgascano offers a pause between two natural worlds. Conceived as a transparent bridge between forest and sea, the 690-square-meter structure distills the architects' signature play with light, color, and permeability into a quiet, reflective space that almost vanishes within its setting."

"Three elongated glass rectangles, slightly stepped and aligned parallel to the sea, compose the building, forming a sequence of open, transparent spaces suspended just above the sand. Each of the three volumes is elevated at different levels, rising in 70-centimeter increments from the forest side toward the water. This simple topographic gesture organizes the program of the café while preserving unobstructed views of both the pine canopy and the horizon line."

An elevated glass cafeteria sits between a dense black pine forest and the shoreline of Rizhao, China, spanning 690 square meters as a transparent bridge between forest and sea. The building comprises three elongated glass rectangles, stepped and aligned parallel to the sea, suspended just above the sand and elevated in 70-centimeter increments from forest to water to organize the program while preserving views. The section sits 6.8 meters above ground to maintain an intimate scale and frame the landscape. Sliding doors on both sides dissolve the interior into the beach. Recycled aluminum tube ceilings and sunshades painted in five colors filter light and extend a chromatic rhythm that infuses the transparent volumes, while reflective glass surfaces cause the café to nearly disappear against the forest and sky.

Read at designboom | architecture & design magazine