Nestled at the foot of Bukhansan Mountain in Jongno-gu, Seoul, the Pyeongchang-dong Sky Cafe F&B presents a calm yet refined presence within a sloped residential neighborhood.
Completed in 2021, the building integrates food and beverage functions with a modern architectural sensibility, using reinforced concrete as the primary structural language.
The massing responds to the topography with a horizontally layered composition, emphasizing stability and balance.
Expansive openings on the main elevation create a sense of openness while framing curated views of the natural surroundings.
A yellow-toned framing detail draws attention to the ground-level café zone, injecting a vibrant yet controlled contrast into the otherwise subdued material palette.
Upper levels are articulated as floating planes, creating terraces and voids that enhance visual rhythm and spatial depth.
Through minimalist detailing and volumetric clarity, the project achieves a tranquil yet iconic presence within its residential context.
It stands not only as a café but as a quiet landmark — one that engages the landscape while offering moments of retreat and perspective.
DESIGN NARRATIVE
Located in the hillside neighborhood of Bugak, Jongno-gu, Seoul, the Pyeongchang-dong Sky Cafe F&B is a layered architectural response to topography, landscape, and urban quietude.
The mass is carefully segmented into floating horizontal volumes, emphasizing lightness and visual flow toward the mountain backdrop of Bukhansan.
The project is organized around a central circulation spine, connecting the public café on the second floor with terraced restaurant spaces above.
Each level is oriented to capture framed views of the surrounding forest and urban valley, while exterior terraces extend the interior spaces outward, blending architecture with nature.
The building is not simply placed on the land, but embedded into it — respecting existing contours while creating new relationships between solid and void.
Natural materials, minimal detailing, and open edges work together to generate a tranquil experience from entry to rooftop.
From its ground-level approach to its panoramic roof garden, the building fosters a vertical journey of openness, elevation, and calm.
Drawing
DESIGN NARRATIVE
The conceptual sketch captures the layered massing of the building as a series of floating volumes, gently stepping with the slope of the terrain.
Trees and textured ground suggest a calm integration with the landscape, while the overall form emphasizes horizontality and openness.
The sectional drawing illustrates the relationship between indoor seating and outdoor terraces.
A stepped planter and recessed slab create a visual and spatial buffer, enhancing the café experience through soft transitions and natural light.
The black-and-white diagram provides a clear breakdown of programmatic zoning: parking below ground, café on the second floor, restaurant levels above, and a rooftop terrace at the top.
Together, the sketches reflect an architectural strategy of vertical layering, site response, and user-centered spatial quality.
Parking Passageway
This passageway is designed as a piloti-type vehicular and pedestrian circulation space, balancing functionality with refined aesthetics.
The walls and columns are finished in horizontally textured gray stone, providing solidity and a strong sense of stability while creating depth through subtle play of light and shadow.
The ceiling adopts a dark-toned linear bar system, interwoven with continuous strip lighting that accentuates the spatial axis and enhances the perception of depth.
This linear rhythm not only strengthens the architectural expression but also naturally guides movement through the space.
Columns are strategically placed to ensure structural stability without obstructing circulation, while sloped sidewalls separate pedestrian and vehicular flows for safety and clarity.
The combination of horizontal and vertical repetitions, together with the contrast between dark finishes and illuminated lines, establishes a modern and sophisticated architectural language.
Overall, the design demonstrates structural functionality, efficient circulation, and a contemporary spatial rhythm, offering both practical use and visual refinement.
Inside
INTERIOR DESCRIPTION
The interior design embraces a refined balance between nature and modern form.
Natural stone flooring and warm wooden elements define the spatial tone,
while large openings invite in daylight and frame scenic views of the surrounding hillside.
Custom-built grill tables anchor the dining experience, offering both function and elegance.
The circular mirrored ceiling detail above adds a sculptural focal point,
reflecting both light and landscape.
Partitions and furniture are arranged to provide a sense of privacy
without compromising spatial openness.
Greenery and soft lighting complete the atmosphere, enhancing
comfort and quiet sophistication throughout the space.
Architectural Model
Architectural model-making involves producing a scaled-down version of a building to study and visualize its relationship with the surrounding context.
It allows architects to anticipate how the structure will appear once constructed, serving as a crucial step in reducing potential errors through physical study and iteration.
