Project Name: % Arabica Shanghai EXPO World

Location: Shanghai, China

Design Team: Nguyen Khai Architects & Associates

Project Area: 179㎡

Completion Year: 2025

Lead Architect: Nguyen Quang Khai

Photography: Runzi Zhu

Feature：

Project - % Arabica's latest Shanghai outpost redefines the urban coffee experience through an ethereal architectural intervention that masterfully balances intimacy with openness. Situated in the bustling EXPO World district, this 179-square-metre space by Nguyen Khai Architects & Associates transforms the conventional coffee shop typology into a contemplative sanctuary through its distinctive tunnel-like design.

The defining feature is an intricate system of white-painted mesh strips that vary in size and configuration, creating a pavilion-inspired passage that envelops visitors in a cocoon-like environment. This architectural gesture serves both aesthetic and functional purposes – the semi-transparent mesh mediates between indoor and outdoor spaces while providing essential privacy without compromising the sense of connection to the surrounding urban context.

The interior follows a rigorously symmetrical composition organized into three distinct layers: furniture, the mesh tunnel structure, and integrated greenery. Two opposing entrances naturally divide the space into service and seating zones, with a curved waiting bench acting as an elegant transitional element. The designers have paid particular attention to lighting, with the counter area dramatically spotlit while the seating area is illuminated by custom Chemex-inspired pendant lamps that reference the art of coffee-making.

The exterior design demonstrates equal consideration, with the white tunnel structure creating dynamic visual effects as visitors move around the space. Carefully positioned outdoor seating maintains the brand's signature aesthetic while complementing rather than competing with the architectural intervention. The innovative use of checkered planters between seating groups not only introduces natural elements but also creates subtle spatial demarcations that ensure privacy without isolation.

This thoughtful balance between architectural ambition and functional requirements has resulted in a space that serves both as a striking urban landmark and an intimate retreat, embodying % Arabica's commitment to sophisticated design while creating a new paradigm for coffee shop architecture in Shanghai's competitive hospitality landscape.

Design Team - Founded in 2016 in the historic city of Hue, Vietnam, Nguyen Khai Architects & Associates (NKAA) has established itself as a notable presence in contemporary Southeast Asian architecture. Under the leadership of principal architect Nguyen Quang Khai, the practice has developed a distinctive design philosophy that seamlessly integrates modernist principles with contextual sensitivity.

The firm's portfolio demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of spatial composition, materiality, and environmental response. NKAA's work is characterized by their meticulous attention to tectonics and their innovative approach to adapting traditional architectural elements for contemporary use. Their projects, ranging from intimate retail spaces to larger commercial developments, showcase a refined understanding of human scale and experiential quality.

Since its inception, NKAA has cultivated a design methodology that prioritizes site-specific solutions while maintaining a consistent architectural language. The practice, headquartered in Hue City, has grown into a dynamic studio of architects and designers who share a commitment to thoughtful, sustainable design interventions. Under Nguyen Quang Khai's direction, the firm continues to push boundaries in architectural discourse while respecting the cultural and environmental context of each project, establishing themselves as an emerging force in Vietnam's architectural landscape.