Fumihiko Sano Studio creates cedar-lined Dandelion Chocolate cafe
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A Dandelion Chocolate boutique has launched in a century-old house in Kyoto, Japan.
Dandelion Chocolate is a bean-to-bar craft chocolatier that operates small-scale locations throughout the US and Japan.
The San Francisco brand hired Fumihiko Sano Studio to create the 200sqm outlet’s design, which was shortlisted for this year’s Dezeen Awards. The two-storey interior in the heritage timber-framed property features a cacao bar serving alcoholic drinks paired with chocolate, a retail store and a traditional courtyard.
“Considering the parallels between craft chocolate and cedar, both require authentic craftsmanship and carefully selected natural ingredients – so I made the decision to place cedar at the centre of materials used for this project,” said Tokyo architect Fumihiko Sano in an interview with Dezeen. “Cedarwood is also one of the main materials of Japanese architecture.”
“It is my pleasure to give a new purpose to a building that has stood there for more than one hundred years. May it thrive for another hundred, full of new memories.”
Questions & Answers
Q.What kind of business is Dandelion Chocolate?
What kind of business is Dandelion Chocolate?
Dandelion Chocolate is a bean-to-bar craft chocolatier. The brand specialises in small-scale locations across the US and Japan, focusing on artisanal production methods.
Q.Which firm was responsible for the design of the new Dandelion Chocolate cafe?
Which firm was responsible for the design of the new Dandelion Chocolate cafe?
Fumihiko Sano Studio was hired to create the design for the new Dandelion Chocolate cafe. This Tokyo-based architectural studio's work on the outlet was also shortlisted for the Dezeen Awards.
Q.What special features does the new Kyoto Dandelion Chocolate cafe offer visitors?
What special features does the new Kyoto Dandelion Chocolate cafe offer visitors?
The new Dandelion Chocolate cafe features a cacao bar serving alcoholic drinks paired with chocolate. It also includes a retail store and a traditional courtyard, all within a heritage timber-framed property.
Q.Why did the architect choose cedar for the interior design of the cafe?
Why did the architect choose cedar for the interior design of the cafe?
The architect chose cedar because he saw parallels between craft chocolate and cedar, both requiring authentic craftsmanship and natural ingredients. Cedarwood is also a primary material in traditional Japanese architecture.
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