Cycle & Cycle Pop-Up Kiosk

Cycle Cycle Kiosk (referred to as "The Car" later) is a mobile bread and coffee pop-up shop. The project aligns with the brand's concept of "land and food," highlighting the connection between land, food, architecture, and people as two sides of the same narrative. We often overlook the influence of agricultural civilization on modern customs, rituals, lifestyles, and even spatial logic. The processes of food acquisition, transportation, trade, and consumption may form one of the foundational logics that ties society together. Humanity cannot sever its connection to the land, just as it cannot live without grains and staples. Through this project, we aim to share reflections on "terroir" and "human connection," attempting to use architecture as a means to rediscover the bond between people, the land, and each other in today's society.

#The car is a new experiment

Cycle Cycle kiosk is designed with flexibility in mind to accommodate its need for irregular site changes. Its scale and design emphasize a strong sense of public engagement and the potential for outward expansion. The aim is to seamlessly integrate with the urban landscape, fostering an organic connection with its surroundings. This mobile structure even has the potential to cultivate new urban atmospheres, encouraging dynamic interactions and evolving public spaces.

The "iconicity" and "permeability" of Cycle Cycle kiosk are also key aspects worth attention: how will it transition between various public spaces, becoming both a symbol and leaving a lasting impression? How will it exist independently while simultaneously connecting with its surroundings? These were the questions that intrigued us from the start. We spent a long time tracking and documenting the mobile kiosk’s performance across different cities, observing the gaps and synergies between the intended scenarios and the realities of each environment.

If design is a unilateral projection by architects of the intended use scenarios and users, then the journey with Cycle Cycle kiosk offers a rare opportunity for us to shift roles. This process allows us to step out of the position of mere creators and observe how the design actually interacts with real environments and people, giving us valuable insights beyond initial expectations.

#The car is a factory prefabricated building

The Cycle Cycle pop-up stand can be hoisted and moved to different locations. It is both "refined" and "rugged." "Prefabrication" allows the designer to repeatedly fine-tune the details, ensuring a high standard of craftsmanship and aesthetic appeal. At the same time, its "ruggedness" lies in the fact that the true effectiveness of any design can only be validated when placed in an urban context and put into use. The "anticipation" achievable through design is often limited, and only through the process of relocation and actual usage does the stand’s performance and impact truly come to light.

For example, during on-site installation, we discovered that many steps resisted quantified standards. The designer gradually took on the role of a builder, working alongside the construction crew to explore solutions: the tying of fabric bags, the length of curtains, and the placement of sandbags were all experimented with through trial and error, creating a sense of improvisation. Moreover, since the construction site had no barriers, passersby seemed to participate in the assembly of the stand. What best reflects the essence of architecture is not the polished details, but rather the raw, somewhat uncontrollable materials like the straw mats on the awning and the coarse fabrics. These elements maintain a sense of randomness and, in a natural setting, give rise to a wild, unrefined beauty.

#The car is a “pavilion” with no threshold.

Its overall form is inspired by a barn, evolving into a wooden frame structure topped with a rain canopy and featuring shading panels on the sides, reminiscent of small thatched huts where farmers might take a break in the fields. Other agricultural tools and common rural objects also provided us with inspiration. These utilitarian items possess a sense of pragmatic beauty while carrying emotional value and contextual significance tied to specific scenes.

The facade of the pop-up stand is primarily composed of stacked fabric bags, blending the shape of bricks with the texture of grain sacks to create a robust yet approachable visual effect. Three sides of the "bag walls" feature elongated openings of varying sizes, positioned lower to give people the sensation of peeking out from inside a barn while they engage in conversation.

At the same time, these openings selectively showcase internal activities, allowing people outside to view the visually engaging actions of coffee preparation and bread assembly, while equipment and props are concealed, creating a distinction between the "front stage" and "backstage" of the stand. The staggered openings on the facade also invite natural light into the interior, and the interplay of perspectives and the layering of elements diminish the sense of scale, making the structure feel more welcoming and intimate.

In addition to using components, materials, and light to convey interaction, we also provide more direct means of engagement. The most obvious examples are the side ladder and the temporary resting area at the back. By propping up the shading panels and opening the fabric curtains, a semi-private space can be created, inviting visitors to relax and enjoy their surroundings.

#The car is an experiment in the construction of “body scale”

Building on the inherent qualities of the structure, we incorporated some "low-tech" design elements that encourage people to interact with the stand in a natural and casual manner. As a result, once the stand is in use, the participation of people enhances its "kiosk" qualities, making the experience more vibrant and engaging.

For instance, the base of the stand is designed as a circle of seating, with the fabric bags serving as "cushions," while the trapezoidal columns act as "armrests," ensuring users have their own personal space. In fact, the seats are relatively low, positioned about 25 to 30 cm off the ground, creating an inviting and relaxed atmosphere for those who gather around.

This design draws inspiration from common low stools found in rural settings, which allow people to use the ground as a working surface. When users find themselves closer to the ground, it may evoke latent bodily memories, and this subtle scale—though minor—aims to help individuals experience the intentions behind the design through their interactions.

Project Name: Cycle Cycle Kiosk
Building Area: 18 sqm
Completion Date: October 2023