Angelot Patisserie in Hangzhou, China by Say Architects.

From the street, Angelot patisserie in Hangzhou, China presents more as a high fashion store than a place for coffee and pastry. Local multidisciplinary studio Say Architects overcame a series of multiple disadvantages presented by the original site, such as the setback shopfront that was also largely blocked by the basement shaft, turning the limitation into an opportunity. Their central concept hides the site’s inherent imperfections by harnessing the concept of gradual unveiling of the interior, in turn creating a sense of ritual and arrival.

“We arranged a curved entry route leading to the door and entering the store”, said Say Architects’ Yan Zhang and Jianan Shan. “The first space is ordering and display area; passing through this most important space, the dining area appears gradually. Following the same gesture, we made the architectural facade a frame for the storefront.”

The front façade is clad in custom curved tiles. The entry route reveals as an opening that’s pushed open from the facade, gently leading guests into the patisserie.

“We also designed a changing clearance along the route,” said the designers. “The entry-level has the lowest height and the dining area is the highest – these changing volumes enhance the atmosphere of entering the space as a path leading towards a secret garden which slowly unfolds to the guests.”

In the dining area, the interior is softened by the wall made from custom GRC. Reminiscent of a curtain, this semi-transparent veil blocks the exterior view while letting the sunlight inside. Four lemon trees connect the inside with the outside, forming a soft and private dining space.

The climax of the floorplan is the dining space, which sadly didn’t have a nice view, so the architects filled it with filtered natural light instead. Sunlight touches the GRC wall, highlighting its fabric-like texture, while the Lemon trees notionally divide the dining area. These simple gestures, coupled with a dramatic entry façade, have delivered a simple but powerful result.

Related: Cédric Grolet’s Meurice Patisserie in Paris by Ciguë.

[Images courtesy of Say Architects. Photography by Hao Zhang.]