Sandwiched Between Two Buildings, “The Chapel” Fills a Tiny Urban Gap in Bucharest

Wedged between two fairly conventional residential buildings in Bucharest is an unexpected gem of a cafe. “The Chapel,” a single-story, contemporary structure with a steep triangle roof line and sleek fixtures, is extremely narrow—a characteristic it celebrates through proportion, materials, and a lot of windows.

Designed by Ștefan Păvăluță, founder and principal architect of Romanian studio Vinklu, the unique building is home to a local coffee shop called Boiler. “The Chapel” has enough room for a barista and a few customers, while benches outside provide a little bit of seating.

A large, mature tree along the street was instrumental in designing for context. To achieve harmony in the small space, Păvăluță emphasized streamlined materials and height with timber finishes for a sense of airiness, bringing the outside in through large panes of glass and highlighting the serene setting beneath the tree.

In its function as a coffee shop, “The Chapel” is a place for people to connect. “It is a bold statement about urban ingenuity, the beauty of the intimate, and the transformative capacity of design to unlock the hidden potential of our cities,” says a statement. The studio’s website. (via Dezeen)