Cozy Street Corner: 3li Community

Project: San San De Jiu. 3li Community Architects: Fon Studio Location: Zhao Yan District, Beijing, China Area: 1,184 sq ft Photography: Fon Studio

In big cities, people always seek a cozy and cheerful place to relax. These places are often tucked away in the corners of bustling business districts. The number of entertainment venues in the Sanli Tun area is growing rapidly to meet these needs. Bars and lounges await to fulfill humanity's oldest desire—offering a refreshing drink. The main appeal of these places lies in their vibrant open bar, allowing people to enjoy drinks and conversations in a unique setting with a comfortable atmosphere.

The project is located within Building 3.3. The building has always been a standout landmark in the Sanli Tun area. Our project, San San De Jiu, is situated at the northeast corner of the building, considered one of the most valuable spots in this district.

From the beginning of this project, our team reached a consensus. We aimed to minimize 'style' in design while maximizing the value of the original space. Thus, we established a tone for our work—simplicity, regardless of visual or spatial organization.

Especially notable is that our primary task was to creatively position the evacuation exits. The escape routes intertwined along the building's sides. Our team used them as a design accent. Following fire safety rules, we transformed the passages into transparent landscape boxes. The captivating spatial element is the street zone. By expanding the interior, our team and project manager coordinated general access to this part for passersby, making it a public rest area.

The San San De Jiu brand aims to convey the message of simplicity and clarity in drinks. Therefore, our design approach aligned with this tone. As the district's facade is mainly transparent, we used warm wood as the primary material to create a clear visual focus. The U-shaped ceiling extending from inside out consists of modular units, with the natural texture of birch wood perfectly conveying soft lines. The entrance employed a sliding structure on both sides to break the regular facade and guide people into the interior space.

To reduce the complexity of visual language, a square structure is used consistently within. For example, dividing panels on walls, a movable square box, and a wine rack above the bar—these all combine in various proportions throughout the space. The core of the interior layout is the bar work zone. With a circular design, staff can serve more customers. Seats around it are designed in different shapes to suit various scenarios. In the open space, people have more freedom to enjoy their social lives.

Walking through the city, changing seasons, passing pedestrians, skyscrapers, and diverse plants can give us a thousand different feelings. A street corner might be the place where unknown new things, fresh encounters, and separations unfold. Our project transformed this space over several months of work. We hope it brings passersby a sense of relaxation and appropriate warmth.

- Project description and images provided by Fon Studio