A Branch of Blue Bottle Coffee in a ‘Machiya’
This old traditional house in Kyoto has been given a new lease of life following the installation of a café within its walls.
© Takumi Ota
On a quiet street not far from Nanzenji temple in Kyoto, Blue Bottle Coffee occupies the two floors of a former machiya, a traditional wooden house that served as a workshop and was home to merchants and artisans, particularly during the Heian era (794-1195). The renovation of this 195-m² building was overseen by architectural firm Schemata Architects, who sought to enhance the wood already present in each room.
The modern ambiance of the café reinforces the elegance of the original structure. The large bay windows create a space that looks out onto a courtyard-cum-terrace, the surface of which is composed of natural stone fragments. Thus the natural, traditional aspect is respected. If the coffee is half as good as the setting, it can only be a success.
More information on Blue Bottle Coffee can be found on its website.
© Takumi Ota
© Takumi Ota
© Takumi Ota
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