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The exterior of the Boiler coffee shop in Bucharest, Romania — a café that occupies a razor-thin sliver of urban real estate, its vertically compressed footprint becoming the whole architectural gesture, a building that makes constraint into its most distinctive feature
In Architecture

Razor Thin Coffeeshop Makes a Mark in Bucharest

Vinklu’s Boiler Coffee shop, nicknamed The Chapel, transforms a razor-thin leftover lot on Bazilescu Street, Bucharest, into an architectural gem.

Nestled between two existing buildings and a mature tree, the project maximizes its sliver of space by rising into a dramatic triangular prism.

Modern architectural structure with sharp angles and large glass panels reflecting the surroundings, positioned next to a white, textured building.

It’s built from lightweight steel and wrapped almost entirely in triple-glazed low-e glass.

Narrow modern building with a distinctive pointed roof, situated between two larger structures, partially visible with warm interior lighting.

Feeling both incongruous with its neighbors and delightfully right for the space, the building is transparent and sculptural.

It’s almost like a beacon pulled from the urban void.

Narrow corridor with a triangular window, featuring wooden walls and modern lighting. A person sitting on a bench is visible, looking out at a tree-lined street.

Inside, the walls and sloped ceiling are clad in warm, light-toned timber, and there is just enough room for the barista to create lovely coffee drinks, and fill the space with the smells of roasted beans.

A group of people chatting and biking in front of a modern building with an angular roof. In the foreground, two people on bikes are engaged in conversation, while several others are visible near the building entrance.
A modern, angular building partially obscured by trees, with two people walking past in a suburban setting.

A great use of unused space, the footprint is scant.

A narrow, modern house with a triangular roof, illuminated at night, showcasing a wooden interior with a kitchen area and a person walking by.

We love the way the space takes shape at night, filling the void with warmth.

Aerial view of a residential area at dusk, showcasing various buildings with a mixture of roofs and greenery.

Even from across the neighborhood, this sliver of space stands out.

Exterior view of a modern coffee shop with a glass entrance, featuring a wooden bench and greenery in the foreground.

Via UrDesign. Photography by Vlad Patru.

Author

Ben VanderVeen is the founder and editor of Moss & Fog, one of the web’s longest-running visual culture destinations. Since 2009, he’s been finding and framing the most beautiful, surprising, and thought-provoking work in art, architecture, design, and nature — reaching over 325,000 readers each month. He lives in Portland, Oregon.

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4 Comments

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  3. Dawn

    Wow! Amazing! Would love to be there-such an awesome project,would like to meet the people who had the idea

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