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This Kyoto Café Blends Japanese Tradition with Mexican Soul

The Challe Cafe in Kyoto, redesigned by UNC Studio, stands as a striking example of how cultural fusion can be expressed through architecture. Housed inside a traditional wooden machiya, the project merges Japanese craftsmanship with contemporary Mexican influences—all while honoring the historic character of the building. According to studio founder Keiji Kadota, the goal was not to replicate a conventional Mexican aesthetic, but to imagine a modern, hybrid identity rooted in respect for tradition.

A Bold, Monochromatic Interior

The most dramatic feature of the renovation is its deep, monochromatic interior—an immersive shade of red that envelops the entire space. Created using persimmon tannins and a pigment derived from iron rust, the hue introduces a warm, earthy “Mexican atmosphere” that blends seamlessly with the machiya’s wooden structure.

To expand the visual volume of the low-ceilinged ground floor, the designers introduced a central void (atrium) that links the counter area to the first-floor seating. This vertical connection fosters interaction between guests and staff and brings a sense of openness to the narrow, traditional layout.

Honoring the Timber Structure While Innovating Spatial Flow

Much of the building’s original timber frame is preserved, with new elements carefully inserted to heighten spatial rhythm and atmosphere. The atrium acts as a visual anchor, creating continuity between levels while maintaining the machiya’s authentic proportions.

Material reuse plays a key role in the design. Salvaged wooden columns were repurposed into shelving and benches, echoing the value of resourcefulness inherent in both Japanese and Mexican craft traditions. Stools crafted from solid wooden blocks were finished using the yakisugi charring technique, giving them texture and durability.

Leather—chosen for its ability to age gracefully—wraps the bar counter and communal tables, ensuring that the café’s surfaces develop a warm patina over time. These touches collectively create a layered environment where heritage and modernity coexist.

Custom Craft and Minimal Intervention

The ground floor features distinctive tiles custom-made by a ceramics studio using a red glaze that echoes the café’s signature color. Lighting, too, reflects a minimal-intervention approach: instead of traditional ceiling fixtures, steel lighting elements are attached to the structural pillars to illuminate walls and ceilings without compromising the historic timber construction.

Through deliberate craftsmanship, material reuse, and a bold conceptual palette, Challe Cafe presents a nuanced fusion—one that honors Kyoto’s architectural legacy while embracing Mexican warmth and color. The result is a refreshingly original space where cultural traditions blend into a cohesive, contemporary experience.