Recreating the world of Wes Anderson in the fine city of Chengdu.

After studying for a couple of year in Melbourne and getting inspire by local coffee culture, 19-year-old Zhong Jingwen from Chengdu decided to open her very own cafe in her home town. But before that Zhong Jingwen had to travel all around the world to find her inspiration. And she found it in Wes Andersen’s movie: “I like the colors and elements in GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL. During my trips，there were a lot of cafes that had great design and dishes and I took them as a great example.”

 Studying in Melbourne for a while, Jingwen has seen a lot of coffee shops there and after visiting Kitty Burns she decided to contact design company who made Kitty Burns happen, Biasol. “Most of cafes in Melbourne are vintage factory style. But BIASOL make something very different. I contected them and they were also very interested in my idea.” Biasol is an award-winning Melbourne based design studio specialising in delivering compelling residential, hospitality, workplace and commercial environments. And you can see it in the every detail of newly opened The Budapest Cafe in Chengdu.

Filmmaker Wes Anderson’s distinctive visual style provided the inspiration for The Budapest Café. The design draws on Anderson’s meticulous, memorable and magical worlds to create an inviting destination with whimsical character and international appeal. Much like Anderson’s mythical Budapest Hotel, The Budapest Café is designed to offer an experience that detaches patrons from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Main idea was to create an instagram-friendly spac, where everyone is welcome.

Biasol began by understanding Anderson’s style: his symmetrical, precise and quirky set designs; vivid and nostalgic colour palettes; and the sentiment that infuses his films. He tends towards one-point perspectives and peering down from above; gives attention to the edges of a set as much as the middle; and frames stories with proscenium arches. Modern, minimalist and refreshing interpretation is defined by design, materiality and brand. The building façade projects a sense of grandeur with an arch framing the entrance and welcoming patrons to The Budapest Café. Once inside, customers are invited to engage with the physical design of the café, much like a stage set for patrons to play out their own story. Layers, elevations and design features encourage customers to explore the space. A mezzanine level provides a view from above; symmetrical arches frame recessed seating and shelving; and stairs and steps lead upstairs, lead nowhere, and are integrated into shelving, fireplaces and the long marble bar.

The Budapest Café is designed to feel feminine, light and fun, despite its loftiness and exposed structure. A pink ball pool, neon signage and original Eero Aarnio Bubble chair inspire playfulness, and the bathrooms surprise with speckled pink terrazzo to complement and contrast with the nostalgic-green hues of the café. “I wanted to open a cafe that is the best for taking pictures. Everyone loves beautiful things, I love them too. And I just want to do what I love. Our main customers are young girls, who also look beautiful things everywhere.”

Pictures by James Morgan