Pasadena, CA
tenant improvement
1,090 SF
Completed in 2026

The Mandarin Coffee is conceived as a space for slowing down. The owner, set out to create a café where customers could spend time with their coffee rather than rush through it—an experience shaped as much by atmosphere as by taste.

Located at the corner of a mixed-use building, the café occupies a double-height volume with a fully glazed storefront. From this vantage point, the surrounding urban context gives way to views of the Angeles National Forest, establishing a visual connection between city and landscape. The design treats this view not as a backdrop, but as an active element that changes with light and time.

The interior is organized into layered zones that offer different spatial experiences. The perimeter remains open and filled with daylight, while a lowered ceiling at the center creates a more intimate and shaded environment. Operable blinds soften incoming light and allow the atmosphere to shift throughout the day, reinforcing a sense of temporal variation.

Natural materials unify the space. Douglas fir is used throughout the service counter, cabinetry, and ceiling elements, while continuous wood wainscoting wraps the perimeter and transforms into standing tables and baseboards. A translucent rice-paper wall filters light and references the Chinese origins of the coffee beans.

Together, these elements create a calm and contemplative environment—one that encourages visitors to slow down, linger, and remain present.