this compact box on japanese rooftop converts into tiny coffee shop

behind this box is hidden a multi-functional piece of furniture with all the necessary equipment.

Tada Masaharu edited by massimo mini February 17, 2022 3 min

unveiling ‘miharashi coffee’ by TD atelier

‘miharashi coffee’ is a box-like structure that unfolds to transform into a tiny coffee shop.TD atelier has installed this compact piece of furniture on the rooftop of a five-story hotel in kyoto, japan, in a bid to revive a previously unused space. the final design contains all the necessary equipment — like coffee machines, refrigerator, sink — as well as a wooden stand where people can order and pick up their drinks. this compact box on japanese rooftop converts into tiny coffee shop
all images by TD atelier

‘miharashi’ means ‘a good view’

TD atelier‘s focus was to form a simple yet vivid design to add new life to the hotel’s roof. well, luckily, the building is located among shorter blocks of flats to the north and east sides, thus providing visitors with unobstructed views. when stored, ‘miharashi coffee’ takes shape as a simple box finished in gloss white and pastel green. to convert this toy-box construction into a small shop, one needs to simply drag the door. by opening the door, a wall including kitchen equipment is unfolded, while the roof is unwrapped, doubling the size of the total structure. around the structure, visitors can drink a cafe, all the while appreciating a pleasant breeze that usually the fast daily pace prevents them from enjoying.

td-atelier-miharashi-coffee-rooftop-kyoto-designboom-18001 — there is a small doorway next to it. crouch down and pass by. it’s like ‘nijiri-guchi’ in the tea room.

this compact box on japanese rooftop converts into tiny coffee shop - 1 — it becomes very compact when folded

td-atelier-miharashi-coffee-rooftop-kyoto-designboom-1800 — when closed, it looks like a tiny house

it adds new features to the rooftop a full-fledged espresso machine is installed inside the white outer wall blends in with the blue sky the door has a shelf on which one can put tools for brewing coffee or tea drawing. various things are stored compactly

project info:

name: miharashi coffee
designer: TD-atelier

leading designer: tada masaharu

location: kyoto, japan

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.