The design brief centred on reactivating a heritage site while encouraging a deeper connection between the public and the city’s historic fabric. Original features such as carved stone frames and timber paneling were carefully restored, serving as a foundation for refined insertions that foreground craftsmanship and material integrity. In place of overt contrasts, MCH Estudio applied a subtle palette of metal, wood, and textiles to foster a sense of cohesion between the old and new.

Programmatically, the venue moves beyond conventional café typologies. Upon entry, a prominent coffee roaster anchors the interior—a sculptural focal point that underscores the artisanal ethos of the project. Adjacent to this, a minimalist lab offers transparency to the process, where baristas test and refine blends. Further along, the tasting zone delivers a warm, enveloping atmosphere, drawing on natural textures and diffused lighting to support a slower, more contemplative experience.

Spatial planning is deliberately open, enabling a fluid interaction between each function. Visitors move intuitively from production to consumption, gaining insight into each step of the coffee-making journey. Material transitions and tonal shifts subtly delineate zones, while handcrafted furniture pieces punctuate the interiors with tactility and warmth.

Beyond hospitality, the project signals a broader urban ambition. At a time when modern development often sidelines historic value, Espacio Cafetero repositions preservation as a living act. The intervention not only respects the building’s legacy but reactivates it for contemporary use, inviting the community to reengage with the centre of the city. In doing so, MCH Estudio frames the café as a cultural touchpoint—one where memory, craft, and daily ritual quietly converge.