Lusso Cafe | Winner Designs
Lusso Cafe by 21GRAM

Lusso Cafe

Silver A' Design Award Winner 2025

Lusso Cafe by 21GRAM represents a distinguished contribution to contemporary hospitality design, demonstrating how thoughtful material selection and spatial choreography can elevate the quotidian ritual of coffee consumption into an experience of meditative refinement. The designers appear to draw upon the phenomenological tradition of space-making that honors the Japanese concept of ma, the meaningful void, while simultaneously engaging with biophilic design principles that recognize humanity's innate connection to natural systems and organic forms. The integration of living plant material within architectural concrete planters suggests an understanding of the restorative qualities that verdant elements bring to interior environments, while the careful juxtaposition of warm timber against cool stone creates a thermal and visual balance that promotes psychological equilibrium. Technical accomplishment is evident in the precision of the timber joinery, where cedar planks meet in seamless transitions that speak to craftsmanship traditions extending across centuries, and in the sophisticated lighting design that layers ambient warmth with functional task illumination. The woven wall treatment provides acoustic absorption while introducing a handcrafted textile quality that softens what might otherwise read as austere minimalism, demonstrating sensitivity to the multisensory experience of inhabiting space. The sunken garden feature, visible in the foreground, transforms what could be mere decoration into an experiential threshold, inviting patrons to transition psychologically from the urban exterior into a realm of cultivated tranquility. One might observe how the composition balances transparency and enclosure, with reeded glass panels allowing light transmission while maintaining visual privacy for the service zone, creating a layered depth that rewards continued exploration. The viewer is invited to consider how such environments shape our daily rituals, transforming functional necessity into opportunities for beauty and contemplation.

Lusso aims to meet the demands of consumers seeking natural relaxation and comfort even in modern, urban environments, creating a distinction from competitors through its space design and philosophy. In the heart of Seoul's skyscraper district, Cafe Russo offers a serene escape with a cup of coffee, made possible by its natural materials and design. The natural materials used in the finishes develop unique hues over time, and as they are touched by human hands, they gracefully reflect the passage of time in their own distinctive ways.