A Modern Chinese Café Reborn from a Family Gold Shop
XIN COFFEE & CO. was born from a desire to preserve a family legacy — a former gold shop in the old market district of Na Kluea, Chonburi.
The owners wished to transform the long-abandoned space into a modern café while keeping the memory of their heritage alive.
SA-ARD architecture & construction reimagined the gold shop into a café that bridges generations — retaining the soul of its past while serving a new purpose in the present.
Design Narrative
The design process began with a dialogue between the architects and the original gold-cabinet craftsmen — exploring how the classic display counters could be adapted for a café environment.
The result is a Speed Bar where baristas now brew coffee atop the very counters that once displayed gold.
The old vault room has been transformed into a stock room for coffee beans and brewing tools, while a Slow Bar area invites customers to linger longer, connecting the rhythm of coffee with the nostalgia of the space.
Visual Language
The café’s bold red-and-black palette reflects a reinterpretation of Modern Chinese aesthetics — inspired by Wong Kar-wai’s In the Mood for Love.
Red symbolizes prosperity and warmth, while black trim and wooden details add grounding and balance.
The curved corner counter redefines the shopfront’s geometry, creating an inviting rhythm along the street.
Traditional Chinese lanterns and glowing neon signage complete the cinematic atmosphere that transforms the old gold shop into a new cultural landmark.
Material & Detail
Gloss-finished red wood dominates the interior, contrasted by matte black trims and the preserved brick wall — a trace of time and authenticity.
Original furniture pieces such as vintage wooden chairs and tables were restored,
while the display cabinet echoes the gold showcases of the past, now filled with coffee bags instead of jewelry.
SA-ARD Perspective
“We didn’t just design a café; we re-designed a memory.
The goal was to let the old gold shop live on —
its spirit transformed, yet its essence unchanged.”