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Upward Angles and Concrete Portals Enhancing Mountain Views in a Café Setting

Author:
Manasi Gungabeesoon
Upward Angles and Concrete Portals Enhancing Mountain Views in a Café Setting
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Elevated concrete portals frame panoramic mountain views in a café designed to enhance visitor engagement with the surrounding landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Portals carved into concrete walls frame views of the surrounding mountains.
02
The upward-angled floor simulates the ascent of a mountain, enhancing the experience.
03
Large glass panes provide 360-degree views from the elevated exhibition space.
04
Prefab concrete construction ensures durability while blending with the natural landscape.
05
The turf roof adds insulation and connects the building to its environment.

The Summit Café is designed to blend with the dramatic landscape of the surrounding mountains. It serves as a welcoming space for visitors, offering coffee and a chance to appreciate the natural beauty outside. The design emphasizes connections to the environment, creating an inviting atmosphere that encourages people to engage with the landscape.

Framing the Landscape
The building features portals carved into its walls. These openings allow views of the mountains and let natural light flood into the café. By framing the scenery, the design creates a continuous connection between the inside and outside. This approach allows visitors to enjoy the changing landscapes throughout their time in the café.

Functional Spaces
Inside the café, various functional areas are organized to support different activities. There are seating areas, a kitchen, a coffee counter, and exhibition spaces. Each area is designed with purpose and comfort in mind, making it easy for guests to navigate the café. The layout helps to create a relaxed atmosphere for anyone who enters.

The Summit Experience
One of the standout features is the upward-angled floor that simulates the feeling of climbing a mountain. Stairs carved into the concrete take visitors to an elevated space called "Summit." From this height, visitors can enjoy panoramic views through large glass panes. The layout not only provides beautiful sights but also connects guests to the geological features of the area.

Material Integration
The construction primarily uses prefab concrete, a choice made for both its strength and appearance. The roof is covered with turf, which insulates the building and ties the café to its natural surroundings. The materials are selected to reflect the ruggedness of the landscape while ensuring practical use for day-to-day operations.

The ceiling in the exhibition area features linear lighting that outlines the mountain's curves, drawing attention to the structure's connection with the landscape. This detail enhances the café's welcoming atmosphere while reminding visitors of the beauty outside.

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Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

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