Sandwiched Between Two Buildings, "The Chapel" Transforms a Tiny Urban Gap in Bucharest

""The Chapel," a single-story, contemporary structure with a steep triangle roof line and sleek fixtures, is extremely narrow-a characteristic it celebrates through proportion, materials, and a lot of windows. Designed by Ștefan Păvăluță, founder and principal architect of Romanian studio Vinklu, the unique building is home to a local coffee shop called Boiler. "The Chapel" has enough room for a barista and a few customers, while benches outside provide a little bit of seating."

"To achieve harmony in the small space, Păvăluță emphasized streamlined materials and height with timber finishes for a sense of airiness, bringing the outside in through large panes of glass and highlighting the serene setting beneath the tree. In its function as a coffee shop, "The Chapel" is a place for people to connect. "It is a bold statement about urban ingenuity, the beauty of the intimate, and the transformative capacity of design to unlock the hidden potential of our cities," says a statement."

The Chapel is a single-story, narrow contemporary building in Bucharest that houses Boiler, a local coffee shop. The design emphasizes proportion, streamlined materials, and abundant glazing to create an airy interior despite tight dimensions. Timber finishes and a steep triangular roof enhance verticality and a sense of lightness, while large panes of glass visually connect interior and exterior. A mature street tree informed the contextual approach, contributing to a serene setting. The layout accommodates a barista and a few patrons indoors, with bench seating outside. The project demonstrates urban ingenuity and the capacity of thoughtful design to activate constrained sites.

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