Fuwa Fuwa Dessert Cafe by Ryan Chung is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2023 Moputso oa Silevera oa A' Design Award in Moralo wa Sebaka sa Ka Hare le Dipontsho Competition Category.

SileveraKa Hare· 2023

Fuwa Fuwa Dessert Cafe

by Ryan Chung

Client: Studio Yimu

Moputso oa Silevera oa A' Design Award Winner in Ka Hare Category

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Fuwa Fuwa Dessert Cafe

Cafe ea sejoale-joale e tlisa matla a bocha le lintho tse ncha tse tlatsitsoeng ke boleng bo tiileng ba lintho tsa setso. Mokhatlo o hlophisitsoeng oa sebaka ke sethabathaba ho literateng tsa setso tsa Kyoto, tse fanang ka lintlha tse seng kae tsa se seng se tla hlahlojoa tlas'a moqhaka o mosehla le o mosoeu. Ka nako ena eohle, moralo o kenyelletsa libopeho tsa sebopeho sa Majapane ho bonts'a lijo tse theolelang tsa mofuta oa Majapane tseo o li sebeletsang. Baeti ba lumelisoa ke mothinya o bonolo le mosehla o khanyang oa canopy e phahameng kaha o etsa foreimi ea sejoale-joale e kang tempele.

The Recognition

About the Moputso oa Silevera oa A' Design Award

Fuwa Fuwa Dessert Cafe ke mohapi oa Moputso oa Silevera oa A' Design Award, kananelo e hlomphehang haholo e fuoang meralo e phahameng ka ho fetesisa, e ntle le e tsosang maikutlo. Bahapi ba Silevera ke mesebetsi e khanyang haholo le e nang le boqapi bo ikhethang e bontšang botsebi, talenta le bohlale ba baqapi ba eona. Fuwa Fuwa Dessert Cafe e lebelletsoe ho ba mosebetsi o motle, oa mohlala, o nang le boprofeshenale bo bonahalang le mehopolo e mecha e tebileng. Moralo ona o hapileng Moputso oa Silevera oa A' Design Award ke mohopolo o hlokomelehang haholo le o ratoang o tlisang molemo mme o sutumelletsang meeli ea bonono, mahlale, moralo le theknoloji. Fuwa Fuwa Dessert Cafe ke mosebetsi oo batho ba bangata ba o lakatsang, o tsosang litakatso, o tlisang maikutlo a matle le o tsosetsang ho makala le ho hlolla.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: This modern café imbues the youthful energy of the desserts they serve, and the spirit of exploration and novelty found in the narrow walkways of old Kyoto streets. Seating is integrated on the side allowing for an unobstructed view and pathway down the length of the entire space, creating a unique focal point of depth, volume and curiosity.
Dimensions & Packaging: Project area of 167 square meters.
Tags: Studio Yimu, Interior Design, Commercial Design, Modern, Cafe Design, Dessert Cafe, Toronto, Canada
Production Technology: The placement of lighting and color were vital in achieving a warm ambience. Designer team worked closely with the lighting consultant to conclude a solution that can have even spread of lighting as it interacts with different material layers that softly lights up the café throughout, connecting adjacent areas.
Design Challenge: The narrow and long space needed to fulfill three key needs: a space for delivery workers to wait, privacy for in-store customers where they can converse and dine undisturbed, and an accessible and highly visible front of house.

The pandemic has made take-out and delivery more prevalent and it became essential to consider the distribution of space in relation to the flow of traffic. How can the travel of customers be minimized? How can this narrow space host distinct zones for different customers in an organic and passive fashion?

The solution highlights the length of the space to create the effect of a warm Japanese alley street. Additionally, by placing the sales counter in the front of the curved element, it effectively becomes the entrance, creating two zones hidden from one another. It is highly visible and is the first point of contact for everyone. For those who choose to take-out, they stand "outside" of the portal. For those who dine in, they progress "inside".
Research: The structure of the middle island references traditional temples found in Kyoto with its wooden posts, hanging menus, and visual proportions. The food prep counter is visible on the side and is reminiscent of watching food being prepared at street vendor stalls along a long stretch of road. Instead of covering the original flooring, the stripped back surface was kept, imperfections and all, to honor the imprint of time it reflects.
Inspiration: The goal is to introduce the cafe's warm and positive energy to an otherwise traditional plaza. It is neither a grab-and-go coffee place nor a sit-down restaurant. It exists in the intersection of the two, and cultivates the visual aesthetics of both; the vibrant brightness of the youth-led culture and the solid steadfast quality of a classic eatery. All the while infusing visual traits of Japanese design to reflect the Japanese style dessert that it serves.
Project Duration: Project start May 2020 and completed in November 2021. Located in Toronto, Canada.
Operation Flow: Visitors are greeted by the soft curve and bright yellow of the high canopy. It frames the modern temple like structure below. Light emanates from it, bringing light to all corners of the space. The sides are unobstructed yet what lies behind is hidden from view and remains to be explored. By entering the side valleys, two experiences become available; the hustle and bustle of pancake flipping and the cozy feeling of being tucked away from view.
Team Members: Creative Director: Ryan Chung
Designer: Long Wu
Designer: Chelsea Chen
Lighting Designer: Peter Ma
Image Credits: Image #1: Scott Norsworthy 2022
Image #2: Scott Norsworthy 2022
Image #3: Scott Norsworthy 2022
Image #4: Scott Norsworthy 2022
Image #5: Scott Norsworthy 2022