recycled steel bars form modular café interior by penda

recycled steel bars form modular café interior by penda
all images courtesy of penda

in beijing, architecture and design studio penda has completed the interior of a local café using recycled steel bars to serve as modular dividers. commissioned by property developers hongkun, the scheme introduces an area of greenery within the city’s heavily polluted atmosphere – intended to serve as a precedent that will encourage other chinese cities to implement similarly green proposals.

the scheme introduces an area of greenery within the city’s heavily polluted atmosphere

the primary design feature is the repetition of upcycled steel bars, painted black and constructed as a grid. this modular system allows the café to be readily reconfigured. the latticed structure allows a variety of different elements to be inserted, with plant boxes, books, and lights occupying the design.

the primary design feature is the repetition of upcycled steel bars, painted black and constructed as a grid

many of the scheme’s wooden pots are filled with air purifying and easy-to-grow vegetation such as spider plants, sword fern and marble queen. over time, the plantation will grow across the structural framework, covering the steel with a natural green blanket.

the recycled steel bars serve as modular dividers

this repeated system allows the café to be readily reconfigured to suit a variety of needs 

plant boxes, books, and lights fill the design

many of the scheme’s wooden pots are filled with air purifying and easy-to-grow vegetation

over time, the plantation will grow along the structural framework

an area for study within the café

lighting is hung from the latticed ceiling

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