Sandwiched Between Two Buildings, “The Chapel” Transforms a Tiny Urban Gap in Bucharest


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Sandwiched Between Two Buildings, “The Chapel” Transforms a Tiny Urban Gap in Bucharest

Wedged between two fairly conventional residential buildings in Bucharest is an unexpected gem of a cafe. “The Chapel,” a single-story, contemporary structure with a steep triangle roof line and sleek fixtures, is extremely narrow—a characteristic it celebrates through proportion, materials, and a lot of windows.

Designed by Ștefan Păvăluță, founder and principal architect of Romanian studio Vinklu, the unique building is home to a local coffee shop called Boiler. “The Chapel” has enough room for a barista and a few customers, while benches outside provide a little bit of seating.

a tiny, contemporary cafe with a steep, pointed roof sits between two larger conventional buildings, designed by Vinklu

A large, mature tree along the street was instrumental in designing for context. To achieve harmony in the small space, Păvăluță emphasized streamlined materials and height with timber finishes for a sense of airiness, bringing the outside in through large panes of glass and highlighting the serene setting beneath the tree.

In its function as a coffee shop, “The Chapel” is a place for people to connect. “It is a bold statement about urban ingenuity, the beauty of the intimate, and the transformative capacity of design to unlock the hidden potential of our cities,” says a statement.

Find more on the studio’s website. (via Dezeen)

the interior of a small, contemporary cafe
a detail of the exterior of a small, contemporary cafe designed by Vinklu, with a large triangular window
the interior of a small, contemporary cafe with a large triangular window
a tiny, contemporary cafe with a steep, pointed roof sits between two larger conventional buildings, designed by Vinklu and seen from the air
a detail of a tiny, narrow, contemporary cafe building
a tiny, contemporary cafe with a steep, pointed roof sits between two larger conventional buildings, designed by Vinklu and photographed at night

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