Undercover exploration of Archives of Us, a clandestine café nestled in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles
Jialun Xiong, founder of Studio/JIALUN XIONG, has recently completed the interior design for Archives of Us, a secret coffee shop hidden above the city in downtown LA. The design, a modern minimalist masterpiece, emphasizes contrast in form and materiality to create a reflective, sculptural environment.
The space, spanning 2,500 sq. ft, is accessible via a polished lift. The interior features custom furnishings from Xiong's 'Kaleidoscope' and 'Building Blocks' collections, referencing museum-like design codes. The design favors a monochromatic material palette, including stained black ash wood, off-white leather upholstery, and brushed metal accents, purposefully avoiding excess decoration to maintain simplicity and elegance.
Creamy upholstery, soft against the concrete flooring and black ash wood, adds a contrasting element to the design. Brushed metals are used to catch and reflect light throughout the space, while the lighting itself reflects warm glows, nodding to its urban setting.
Xiong aimed to create an environment that offers a moment of stillness and reflection. The design utilizes a dark ash wood palette combined with pale leathers and metal to balance warmth and sophistication, encouraging introspection within the coffee shop’s intimate setting. The art of making a cup of coffee is ritualistic, which Xiong aimed to replicate within the space of Archives of Us.
Nick Kim, the founder of Archives of Us, appreciated Xiong’s ability to combine precision in materiality and functionality with a layered, sensory experience. The design creates a visually tactile interior that steps away from the minimalist style commonly found in industrial spaces, instead encouraging a quieter, more reflective environment, much like in a library, to allow customers to savor every cup while feeling deeply connected to themselves.
Archives of Us boasts an alternative coffee culture vibe, a departure from the trend of constantly changing coffee shop menus and elaborate drinks. Xiong designed the space as a peaceful retreat from the bustling traffic of Los Angeles, offering a moment of calm and introspection amidst the city's hustle and bustle.
[1] Modern Minimalism: Jialun Xiong's Design for Archives of Us. (2022). [online] Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/978641/modern-minimalism-jialun-xiongs-design-for-archives-of-us
[3] Jialun Xiong Creates a Reflective, Sculptural Environment at Archives of Us. (2022). [online] Available at: https://www.dezeen.com/2022/03/08/jialun-xiong-archives-of-us-secret-coffee-shop-downtown-la-interior-design-studio-jialun-xiong/
[5] Archives of Us: A Secret Coffee Shop in Downtown LA. (2022). [online] Available at: https://www.designboom.com/architecture/archives-of-us-secret-coffee-shop-downtown-la-studio-jialun-xiong-1236076/
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