A Twosome Place

architechu

There's this place I kept noticing every time I passed by, usually late at night or right when the cafe was about to close, so I never actually went in for coffee. Surrounded by famous cafes and design spots, I must have walked past it about 5~6 times. However, it always caught my eye, mainly because I have a liking for glass blocks. Despite my initial intentions due to my schedule, I could never visit during the day, which was my preference - ‘because I thought the interior would look too beautiful during the daytime’. Especially since it was my favorite among Korean franchise cafes until it was taken over by a Chinese company. I used to enjoy Tous Les Jours' iced Americano, despite the decreased volume, and specifically asked for it to be served in a paper cup, not plastic. Furthermore, my fondness was likely influenced by my longstanding friendship with someone who had been enthusiastic about baking from an early age and eventually became a baker and then a manager at Tous Les Jours. Reasons aside, there was no reason for me not to visit this space. One day, my schedule brought me nearby, and I made my way to this space. Looking from the outside, the glass block pieces were arranged at a corner, sandwiched between two streets alongside Cheonggyecheon Stream. Interestingly, while this area has a concentration of cafes, the background against Gwanghwamun presents all buildings as high-rise, participating in the city's glamour, except for this one or two blocks of low-rise buildings tightly packed together, resembling a gym newbie among them. The facade of the building, adorned with translucent and opaque glass blocks, is engraved with unique human patterns, feels smaller against the urban backdrop. But stepping inside transforms the perspective – the opaque glass blocks instantly sever the connection to the vast city outside. ‘It’s like the city has been pixelated.’ But at the same time, allowing light in, reviving the fond memories of glass blocks from my childhood. Moreover, forgoing seating space for a lobby that extends from the first to the third floor showcases an airy disconnection from the city, adding to the unified aesthetic joy glass blocks provide. This unique spatial and visual effect completely disconnects one from the city of Gwanghwamun. The only perception of time here comes from the changing natural light. Thus, I ordered an iced Americano, not forgetting to add an Oreo cake to my order. Unlike a typical Tous Les Jours, this location in Gwanghwamun includes a basement meeting room, proving to be a useful space for changing atmospheres during lunch or afternoon meetings, or when company meeting rooms are insufficient. This usage aligns well with the land status of Gwanghwamun, making it all the more appreciated. In conclusion, this place aligns with my personal taste. Finally, similar to the opaque use in the Japanese Hermes building, which establishes a new visual relationship between the city and the internal space, this space uses opaque glass blocks to create a visual disconnection between the city and its inner space. For those who have visited such spaces in Japan, it’s a good place to experience and enjoy the difference in spatial enjoyment. It’s one method of visually blocking out the city, presenting a great alternative for utilizing light. The mosaic city – this place is #TousLesJoursSeorinDongCheonggyePlaza. Location _ Seoul, Jongno-gu, Cheonggyecheon-ro 17 Operating hours _ 07:00~23:00 [Mon~Fri], 08:00~23:00 [Sat~Sun] No parking Menu is the same as other branches.