A shard of light between two buildings houses a tiny café

Set in an interstitial space between two buildings in the northwest of the Romanian capital, The Chapel cafeteria is an example of micro-space design. Studio Vinklu's operation was to transform a 3x6-meter lot into an impactful architectural object, with its simple yet eccentric shape. The Chapel is the latest in a series of cafeterias by the Boiler brand, which is present within the city with other thematic projects, such as its counterpart The Cube with its glazed box shape. Somewhere between a contemporary hut and a chapel, this mini-architecture in the heart of Bucharest consists of a steel structure largely prefabricated off-site, a choice that allowed for rapid assembly with minimal disruption to the neighborhood and a significant reduction in waste.

Coated externally with a light-colored sheet metal, it discreetly blends into its surroundings. The fully glazed entrance façade accentuates the slender form, and acts like a transparent lens: by day it lets natural light filter through, softening the harshness of the urban context, while at night it allows light to illuminate the neighborhood, making The Chapel a true light installation. Indoors, light wood paneling envelops the space and contributes to an intimate and relaxing atmosphere, transforming the few available square meters into a cozy environment. The ceiling height and natural light multiply the perception of the space, giving an unexpected feeling of openness. The Chapel shows how in-between spaces, those residual and often critical portions of the city, can become places of value through a measured and precise intervention, even capable of generating a new identity. A concrete example of how the enhancement of urban voids can be an opportunity to reveal hidden potential of the city.