Arabica Kuanzhai Alley by B.L.U.E. Architecture Studio: A Contemporary Café in Chengdu's Historic Courtyard

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Restoring the Historic Courtyard

Kuanzhai Alley in Chengdu, originally established during the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty, remains one of the city's most picturesque cultural treasures. Defined by three streets—the wide alley, narrow alley, and well alley—this area preserves the authentic rhythm of Chengdu's life. Among the winding alleys, the project site was a traditional western Sichuan courtyard house, with its grey brick walls and tiled roofs reflecting memories of old Chengdu.

Chosen as the location for % Arabica Chengdu, the building overlooks Jin Alley—a relatively quiet section compared to the bustling wide and narrow alleys. Here, B.L.U.E. Architecture Studio took on the task of transforming the structure into a modern café while preserving its cultural roots.

Design Inspired by the Spirit of Place

The design philosophy reflects both the relaxed lifestyle of Chengdu and Arabica's aesthetic—seeing the world through coffee. For B.L.U.E., the café was envisioned not just as a commercial space, but as a public gathering place, where people can come together, slow down time, and share the cultural rhythm of the alley.

The central idea was to integrate Chengdu's relaxed spirit into the café while maintaining brand minimalism. Thus, the project became a dialogue between tradition and modernity, recreating life within the restored courtyard.

The Courtyard as a Central Element

The design team started by removing the glass roof added by a previous owner, restoring the original courtyard type. The central courtyard was transformed into a serene white pool, its reflective surface immediately creating a calm atmosphere for visitors entering from the bustling street.

Surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass walls, the courtyard blurs the boundary between interior and exterior space. Natural light fills the area, while transparency contributes to a sense of fluidity and openness. Seating around the pool creates both intimacy and distance—guests gather close to one another but are separated by water, fostering a social and reflective environment.

Street Inside the Café

Surrounding the water courtyard, architects designed a circular inner street with alternating wide and narrow passages that reflect the character of Kuanzhai Alley itself.

Materials: Floors and seating are made from recycled grey bricks, widely used in Chengdu's alleys, giving the design a local tradition.
Semi-Open Retreat: At the end of the corridor is a small room clad in handmade brickwork, offering privacy. Its irregular texture and artisanal quality reflect the historical tactile essence of the neighborhood.
Street Counter: Opposite the pool, an elegant white bar counter under a canopy resembles a street stall—enhancing the sense of urban community.

The result is a café where human activity defines architecture. People walk, linger, and talk, turning the café into a dynamic extension of Chengdu's street life.

Balance Between Tradition and Modern Minimalism

Original wooden columns were stripped of black paint to reveal their natural structure. Reinforcements were subtly integrated with metal, ensuring structural strength while preserving the historical appearance.

The design contrasts temporal textures—wood, handmade brickwork, natural stone—with modern lines of Arabica. This contrast embodies both Chengdu's cultural memory and brand minimalism, creating a space rooted in tradition yet globally relevant.

Dialogue with the City

For B.L.U.E. Architecture Studio, the project was more than a renovation—it was a conversation with Chengdu's history and lifestyle. The café embodies the public nature of urban space and the playfulness of daily life.

Layers of memory, culture, and modern use % Arabica Kuanzhai Alley reframe the historic courtyard as a meeting place for locals and tourists. It's a project where architecture, culture, and community intersect, strengthening Chengdu’s identity as a city of traditions and leisure.