This solar-powered cafe in Thailand blends into the environment with reflective glass
Built on the site of a demolished amphitheater next to a patch of Tamarind and Trumpet trees, the mirror-like Patom Cafe runs entirely on solar power. The cafe is located in the city of Nakhon Pathom in central Thailand, a place famous for its Phra Pathom Chedi Buddhist temple and the country’s only Bhikkhuni temple, Wat Song Thammakanlayani.
The cafe, designed by NITAPROW, is connected by a main entrance and a garden entrance, providing two entry/exit points. At the bottom of the structure, tables and chairs are positioned around a centralized service core, which holds an aluminum counter, shelving display and room for cafe preparation. H-beam columns and roof beams make up the frame, followed by a glass facade with glass fins, terracotta roof slopes with a vertical glass connection and vertical glass pane skylights.
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The cafe has views of the village from every side and is near the preserved wooden stage that once held concerts and performances outside the old amphitheater. The design of the building incorporates four divided segments and a glass facade, constructed purposefully to circulate airflow and natural light. The service bar was also thoughtfully placed to create optimal air circulation throughout the structure. To add a touch of texture and charm, additional terracotta tiles were installed on the interior ceiling of the cafe.
The solar roof panels at the front end of the building are designed to generate enough energy to run not only the inside lighting but the electrical equipment used for the business as well.
Night-vision reflective film, which was applied to all exterior glass surfaces, creates a reflection that reduces the solar heat gain. The heat-reducing glass panels were also designed to blend the entire building with its natural surroundings. Reflective stainless steel columns rest inside the cafe to add even more reflection of the exterior, while the entire building is encased in shrubbery. Outside, the many plants and vines that surround the cafe in combination with the massive, floor-to-ceiling glass windows harmonize the interior and exterior, whether viewing from the inside or outside.
