People familiar with Korean culture believe that they know the extent to which locals love coffee. Walking casually on the streets of Seoul, you can easily discover exquisitely decorated coffee shops everywhere. If you walk to some more remote areas, you may even discover some large specialty stores. If you also enjoy cafe-hopping, pay attention to this newly opened U-shaped café Café Teri (카페태리, 봉이호떡) this year!
This café is not in Seoul, but under Gyeryongsan Mountain in Daejeon Metropolitan City. Due to its geographical advantage, this small shop has attracted many visitors starting from its architectural design. Designed by the Korean architectural firm Nameless Architecture, the building is divided into a café and a bakery. The architect created a U-shaped wall structure in the courtyard, connecting the two concrete buildings on either side, resembling a large skateboard park! This streamlined design also echoes the local terrain, as if it were an extension of the nearby forest.
The curved design is also used indoors, connecting the indoor and outdoor environments through a staircase space. The elevated terrain in the backyard creates a static resting space, serving as a place for diners to rest and enjoy food and drinks. People sitting on the stairs can also enjoy the outdoor scenery through the windows, creating a comfortable and pleasant environment. Other tables and chairs are made of wooden furniture, adding a warm feeling to the space.
Although both the interior and exterior of the building are primarily made of concrete, various sizes of windows have been added to the space to allow natural light to enter the interior. This not only highlights the space but also avoids a feeling of being enclosed. If you can enjoy a hot cup of coffee and delicious pastries in this space, it will definitely be very relaxing!
Café Teri (카페태리, Bongi Hotteok)
Address: 9 Sutonggol-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, South Korea
Image source and learn more: Nameless Architecture
