Craftsmanship Cafe Icalihtic Tlachihchiualiztli by Kai-Wei Liu - Sinnie Design

Craftsmanship Cafe Icalihtic Tlachihchiualiztli by Kai-Wei Liu - Sinnie Design is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl in Callitic Tlacauhtli ihuan Tlanextilizpan Tlachihchihualiztli Competition Category.

IztacteocuitlatlCallitic· 2025

Craftsmanship Cafe Icalihtic Tlachihchiualiztli

by Kai-Wei Liu - Sinnie Design

Client: Sinnie Design

Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl Winner in Callitic Category

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Verified Award Winner
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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Craftsmanship Cafe Icalihtic Tlachihchiualiztli

Craftsmanship ce cafe icalihtic tlachihchiualiztli in moyetztica ompa Taiwan. Inin tequitl quicuepa ce huehue tlatlaliloyan calli ipan ce tlacualoyan in quipia 165.2 metros cuadrados. In tlatlalilizyotl quipia ce tlanamacoyan mesa, ce yeyantli campa motlalia, ce sofa yeyantli ihuan ce bar yeyantli. Huehue tepoztlachihualoni tlen achto xihuitl in tlanamacaliztli motlalia queh tlachihchiualiztli. Tepoztli huepanmeh ipan in calcuaitl monechicoa ica totonqui cuahuitl tlachihchiualiztli, ihuan tepozcoyoctin in yahui inahuac huepanmeh quipalehuia in tlahuilli ihuan in ehecatl imalacacholiz. Tetzontli, tepoztli ihuan tliltepoztli mocahua ica zan tepitzin tlayecchihualiztli. Chicuace tlanexcoyoctli quicalaquia in tonalmeyotl. Tlaixnextiliztli huipantli ipan in tlalpantli quicennepanoa in tlanahuatiloyan ica in tlacualoyan.

The Recognition

About the Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl

Craftsmanship Cafe Icalihtic Tlachihchiualiztli ca in quicuic in Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl, hueyi tlamahuizoliztli tlen momaca in huel yectli, tlanextic ihuan mahuiztic tlachihualli. In quicuicah Iztacteocuitlatl ca cenca cualli ihuan cenca yancuic tlachihualli in quinextia in tlamatiliztli, toltecayotl ihuan ixtlamatiliztli intlachihuanime. Ca quinequi in Craftsmanship Cafe Icalihtic Tlachihchiualiztli ca cenca cualli, cenca motequiuhtia ihuan yancuic. Ni dizayno in quicuic Iztacteocuitlatl quihuelitia in toltecayotl, tlamatiliztli, dizayno ihuan teknolohia. Craftsmanship Cafe Icalihtic Tlachihchiualiztli quiyolchicahua in tlacah, quipaquiltia ihuan quitlamahuiztiltia.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The project emphasizes preserving the original features while enhancing functionality and aesthetics. The design features a sharp industrial style with traditional machinery as decor. Steel beams in the gable roof balance cold metallic tones with warm wood accents. EMT conduits run along the beams, reinforcing the industrial look while improving lighting and air circulation. The designer also incorporated guiding lines on the flooring and bright green exterior walls to attract attention. Intricate design elements enhance the space's appeal, boosting brand visibility and encouraging customers to linger.
Dimensions & Packaging: The site is 165.2 square meters and includes a counter, seating area, sofa area, and bar area.
The venue is made up of a storage room and a freezer. The layout is divided into an ordering area and a dining area. A guideline on the floor connects the two areas, increasing efficiency. In the center of the space and the seating area, machines that have been served are displayed so that customers can observe the history of the space while enjoying their food, creating an interactive and exploratory experience.
Tags: Old House, Warehouse, Old House Renovation, Industrial Style, Cafe, Open Plan, Metal, Succession.
Production Technology: Concrete, steel, and iron elements emphasize a raw aesthetic and durability. Most of the walls are left with minimal finishing, allowing the natural textures of the materials and their eco-friendly characteristics to convey the deep-rooted presence of the brand in the local community. The color scheme, featuring shades of gray, green, silver, and black, presents a clean and sharp industrial style. The green logo stands out prominently against the gray background, while warm lighting enhances the appeal of the food, making it look especially appetizing.
Design Challenge: The main challenge of the project was remodeling the roof, which originally featured cement tiles. The designer wanted to increase natural light, so he planned six skylights. However, maintaining the waterproofing and stability of the cement tiles while adding windows proved difficult. To solve this, the designer implemented a special structural method to support the windows, ensuring the aluminum frames seamlessly integrated with the tiles. Additionally, a careful drainage system was designed to prevent water leakage and accumulation, preserving the roof's functionality.
Research: The project, named 'Craftsmanship,' honors the legacy of the brand's founder while reinventing the space for a new generation. The designer preserves the original structure, blending the industrial style's simplicity and ruggedness with multifunctional aesthetics. Retired machinery is used as decor, evoking history. The flooring guides customers' movements, enhancing the space's functionality. Cement, steel, and iron highlight the industrial style's durability, while the gray, green, silver and black color scheme creates a clean, simple visual. Warm lighting fosters a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
Inspiration: The inspiration comes from the fusion of tradition and innovation. The site was originally a warehouse, and the brand has been operating locally for over 75 years. As it transitions to a new generation, the owner seeks to preserve the pioneering spirit of the first generation while embracing modern trends. The designer chose an industrial theme, repurposing the existing machinery to blend memories with contemporary style, creating a cafe that is rich in both storytelling and modernity.
Project Duration: The project finished in May 2023 in Taiwan.
Operation Flow: From the owner's perspective, the restaurant is shaped by the passing of the baton, with vintage machines from the previous generation evoking deep emotions. Though retired, these machines retain their indelible value. The open layout allows the owner to witness customers' reactions, from surprise to enjoyment. For patrons, the space's mix of old and new, along with guiding lines on the floor, creates an engaging experience. The cozy, comfortable atmosphere makes the cafe a unique and iconic spot in the area.
Team Members: KAI-WEI LIU
Image Credits: Sinnie Design