Since time immemorial, caves have been used not only as residential space for human being but also as cultural space. Seven students in the film <Dead Poets Society> gathered in a hideout, ‘cave,’ asking questions about life, and in Hollywood films, romantic narratives made between men and women have also been carried out inside caves.
When first visiting the 1st branch of Munhwa Bistro, a couple under the highlight of the dark interior was seen. Candle dropping accumulated while the candles melted created a unique appearance looking like a mysterious stalactite and became a secret place in a cave only for the couple. By taking the cave which is a spatial inspiration of the 1st branch of Munhwa Bistro as a medium, Indiesalon melted diverse miseenscenes into the 2nd branch of the Munhwa Bistro Seong-su project.
In the Seongsu branch of the cultural space, diverse spatial imaginations exist, and through these, its guests can experience a hidden space named ‘cave’ which is totally distinguished from the external world.
Guests first encounter the deep cave space through the small window at the entrance. Looking at any part, the space is designed to show a scene making harmony among curves of ceiling and table, light of the reflected lighting, space separation through wood barrier and spatial imagination created by mirror wall. The ceiling in a big arch shape creates a cosy cave atmosphere, and the comfort given by the soft curve enables people to sit and enjoy food relaxedly.
By placing a mirror to the end of the arch, deeper sense of space was added, creating efficiency for the narrow space and deeper cave atmosphere.Acryl lighting on the ceiling expressed shiny interior of the cave reflected by the light outside of the window.
The delicately glittering lights attract attention of the people on the street out of the restaurant and stimulate their curiosity about the secret space.The Indiesalon’s oasis table, which will be the first experience to the guest when coming into the space, occupies a large part in the middle of the space. This furniture is a signature design that Indiesalon has developed for a long period of time and can be converted into diverse sizes and shapes in accordance with nature of each space. The detail reminding of cave stalactites and the massive stream-lined table of the signature design play as a role to connect people to people.
The space design melting this architectural narrative invites customers to the entirely different space of hideout from the external world. In the cave which is a space having a distinct colour, Munhwa Bistro Seong-su provides sensuous experience to people, and their own romantic scenarios fitting the place and new cultures are being created in the space even at the moment.
Team:
Architects: Indiesalon
Lead Architect : Seokjoon Jang
Photographer: Hongkyu Yang
