This Kyoto Cafe Blends Japanese Tradition with Mexican Soul

Summary

• UNC Studio designed the Challe Cafe in Kyoto, fusing Japanese and Mexican aesthetics in a traditional machiya
• A deep red interior, crafted from persimmon tannins and iron pigment, defines its dramatic atmosphere
• Reused timber, yakisugi stools and custom tiles highlight craftsmanship while preserving heritage

The Challe Cafe in Kyoto, designed by UNC Studio, is a striking renovation project that fuses Japanese and Mexican design aesthetics within a traditional wooden machiya townhouse. The cafe, which serves specialty coffee, Japanese tacos and churros, successfully balances its fusion concept while meticulously retaining the character of the historic building. The core design philosophy, according to studio founder Keiji Kadota, was not to create an orthodox Mexican image, but to imagine a contemporary fusion that preserves tradition.

The most impactful design element is the cafe’s dramatic, monochromatic interior: the entire space is colored a deep shade of red. This rich hue, achieved using paint made with persimmon tannins and a pigment derived from iron rust, contributes to a “Mexican atmosphere” that fuses with the historical Japanese architecture to give a distinct depth to the space. To enhance volume in the low-ceilinged ground floor, the designers introduced a void (atrium) that visually and physically connects the ground floor counter area with the first-floor seating, encouraging interactive communication.

The design retains much of the building’s original timber structure, while introducing striking new elements to heighten atmosphere and spatial flow. A central atrium connects the low-ceilinged ground floor with the upper seating area, encouraging interaction between guests and staff.

Material reuse and craftsmanship are central to the project’s identity. Salvaged columns were repurposed into shelving and benches, while stools were crafted from solid wooden blocks treated with the traditional yakisugi charring method. Leather wraps the bar counter and communal tables, chosen for its ability to develop a patina over time. Together, these details create a layered, atmospheric setting that merges heritage and innovation.

Distinctive tiles on the ground floor were custom-made by a ceramics studio using a red glaze that complements the interior. Rather than conventional ceiling lights, lighting fixtures made from standard steel sections are fixed to the structural pillars to illuminate the ceiling and walls, minimizing intervention on the historic structure.