카페 에크루

architechu

Significant capital goes into preparing a space, often more than one might expect. As often said, among the things humans can live within, space is the most expensive. Owning space outright is harder and more challenging than it seems. Thus, every moment of preparing a space is a series of choices.
-
One must give up somewhere to preserve another area.
-
This might sound abstract, but looking at cases of those who have prepared space with me, there are thousands of clear examples. Depending on the purpose of the space and the brand's direction, there are aspects that, despite the required investment, must be preserved. In residential cases, windows and exterior materials (façade materials) are where most compromises are seen.
-
Especially with windows, which need to block the exchange of heat between the exterior and interior similarly to insulated concrete walls, while providing a cool and clean view, a tremendous amount of technology is necessary. Hence, lowering the specifications of the windows is a compromise often seen in housing since windows are the most expensive after land and structural works. While land and structural works are directly related to life and safety, and thus non-negotiable, windows are where compromises are made with courage.
-
Such compromises are common in commercial spaces as well.
-
Today's space is a coffee shop offering delicious coffee and using blue as a highlight color in its branding, not compromising on blue paint and print materials. The quality related to the taste of coffee also showed no major compromises with the roaster and machines.
-
However, signs of many compromises are visible in the space itself.
-
The characteristics of a commercial space require it to stand out. The exterior must capture people's attention as the first step of the fantasy that 'the coffee drunk here will make me appear a certain way!' As such, the visible exterior did not compromise and was neatly constructed with pretty good materials. Especially since the building, originally a warehouse or workshop, was torn down and rebuilt, it would have been possible to make compromises from the beginning. On the other hand, the wall facing the side of the neighboring building, less visible to people, was constructed with relatively cheap materials.
-
The interior also shows occasional signs of compromise.
The largest area, the floor, is not cheaply done with a concrete flushing method. However, the floor of the upper level is made of relatively inexpensive materials. In contrast, the ceiling of the ground floor beneath those floors wraps in a different material, maintaining the space's visual quality and atmosphere.
-
As always felt during work, a space well chosen through rational choices offers a firm experience.
-
Today's space closely achieves that. A well-prepared brand, delicious coffee true to its purpose, and a space meticulously prepared step by step with compromises at the right level, its completeness is excellent.
-
Though Yeongdeungpo might seem like a desert for coffee, places like these, coming in strong and solid, might just turn into another battlefield for the coffee market.
-
Enjoy the well-prepared space being introduced.
-
This place of firm agreements is Yeongdeungpo's 'Ecru'.
-
📍Location _ 31-1, Sunyudo 1-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
✔️Operating Hours _ Mon~Fri [08:00~ 20:00] Sat [12:00~20:00] Sun Closed
✔️Parking Not Available
✔️Attached Menu
✔️👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Infant Accompaniment Possible
✔️🦮Pets allowed on the first floor depending on the situation (please inquire before visiting)
-
PS. Please take note to avoid any inconvenience during your visit.