Architecture office CUN PANDA NANA designs 1/2 Coffee & Bar, a hybrid hospitality space located on Dadeji Bathing Beach on Gulangyu Island, China. Conceived as a café and bar immersed in the surrounding landscape, the project combines local references, organic forms and atmospheric lighting within a contemporary interior concept.
The intervention occupies part of a nineteenth-century domed building overlooking the sea. The project preserves significant portions of the original structure while introducing new architectural elements capable of responding to the tropical climate and the brand’s multifunctional identity.
Nature-inspired hospitality design
The design concept draws inspiration from the small-leaf ficus trees commonly found across the island. Steel structures resembling trunks and branches extend throughout the space, forming a large canopy that visually defines the interior architecture.
The tree-like installation filters natural light while generating layered shadow effects across floors and surfaces. Beyond its visual impact, the canopy also contributes to passive ventilation and heat dissipation, responding to the humid subtropical climate of the region.
A simplified veranda preserves the relationship with the original architecture while reinforcing the connection between indoor and outdoor areas. The result is a hospitality environment designed to merge with the natural landscape of Gulangyu Island.
Lighting design and immersive atmosphere
Integrated light strips positioned between the steel branches create a warm and dynamic atmosphere throughout the interior. During the day, filtered natural light reinforces the perception of an artificial forest environment, while at night the space transforms into a vibrant bar destination illuminated by neon accents.
The contrast between soft daylight ambience and evening lighting scenarios allows the venue to adapt seamlessly from café to nightlife setting. Lighting design therefore becomes a central component of the customer experience and spatial identity.
The project combines architecture, lighting and environmental references to create a hospitality concept strongly connected to its cultural and natural context.
1/2 Coffee & Bar (Gulangyu Store)
Location: Xiamen, Fujian, China
Area: 250 sqm
Design Company: CUN PANDA NANA Team
Chief Designer: Cai Xuanna, Lin Jiacheng
Lighting Design: Vidlux&Crisman
Photos courtesy: Liu Xinghao, Yan Yu Architectural Space Photography, Yu Vision