Spacemen Studio foregrounds fabric and colour in a hospitality project inspired by the ritual preparation of matcha.
August 6th, 2025
Drawing inspiration from the intricate ritual of matcha preparation, our design showcases a striking ceiling installation of hand-dyed fabric. These flowing layers drift overhead in rhythmic motion, capturing the graceful swirl of whisked matcha and the fluid elegance of silk drifting in the air.
The fabric is dyed by artist Duniamotif in varying shades of green, from deep forest hues to vibrant matcha tones, with subtle gradients that shift like the luminous glow of an aurora. This effect evokes the natural transformation of matcha as it is whisked, starting as a deep green powder and becoming a light, frothy suspension. The sweeping motion of the fabric, designed to mimic the fluid gestures of a bamboo whisk, reinforces the meditative, ritualistic nature of matcha-making. Soft, diffused lighting enhances the translucency of the fabric, allowing it to shift in tone throughout the day, much like the ever-changing sky.
Beneath this floating installation, the café’s clean, modern aesthetic provides a grounded contrast, focusing on craftsmanship and simplicity. The entire bar counter and surrounding walls are clad in vertical aluminum profiles is an intentional choice to introduce a sleek, lab-like precision to the space. This use of aluminum not only reflects the minimalist ethos of Japanese tea culture but also reinforces a sense of order, refinement, and quiet intensity. Its subtle sheen interacts with the lighting to echo the clean, crisp nature of a matcha atelier, while the tactile rhythm of the profiling adds a layer of quiet dynamism to the space.
The space that feels immersive and serene, where guests can experience the beauty of matcha both visually and sensorially, much like witnessing the quiet dance of the aurora in the night sky.
Drawing inspiration from the intricate ritual of matcha preparation, our design showcases a striking ceiling installation of hand-dyed fabric by Duniamotif. These flowing layers drift overhead in rhythmic motion, capturing the graceful swirl of whisked matcha and the fluid elegance of silk drifting in the air.
Spacemen Studio
spacemen-studio.com
Photography
David Yeow Photography
INDESIGN is on instagram
Follow @indesignlive
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
It’s widely accepted that nature – the original, most accomplished design blueprint – cannot be improved upon. But the exclusive Crypton Leather range proves that it can undoubtedly be enhanced, augmented and extended, signalling a new era of limitless organic materiality.
How can design empower the individual in a workplace transforming from a place to an activity? Here, Design Director Joel Sampson reveals how prioritising human needs – including agency, privacy, pause and connection – and leveraging responsive spatial solutions like the Herman Miller Bay Work Pod is key to crafting engaging and radically inclusive hybrid environments.
grovve sets a new benchmark in youth mental wellness design – an empathetic, biophilic sanctuary where mental wellbeing is nurtured through choice, comfort and co-creation.
Chinese handbag design firm, Songmont, has seen ARCHSTUDIO transform a disused factory into a space of great engagement and joy.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
A new STEAM project by Life Architecture and Urban Design for St Columba’s College, in Essendon, Victoria is education design at its best.
Working far from home, Paul von Chrismar from Büro Architects has been integral in the creation of a grand Buddha in Bhutan that makes an enduring impact on that country and the world.