SMILE CØFFEE / Restaurant interior

This low-profile coffee shop is located in a bustling urban environment. The owner wanted the space to exemplify the core element of the cafe's brand concept, the Danish lifestyle philosophy of "Hygge." Hygge, considered a defining characteristic of Danish culture, refers to the quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being. Using this idea as the central design principle, the designers retained the original cement texture of the building, which they intermixed with recycled wood. Optimal traffic flow and connectors between the area were achieved through the use of large-area lighting, hollow patterns, and natural shapes.