rnt coffee house: A Place for Coffee, Connection, and Healing
rnt coffee house is more than just a café—it’s a personal hideaway for a client who pours their heart into coffee, seeking to create a space for connection and healing. The name “rnt” is derived from the initials of Robert Frost’s famous poem “The Road Not Taken.” As the poem suggests, life is a continuous journey of choices and regrets. Much like the message of the poem, the client hopes to offer sincere messages through each cup of coffee at rnt coffee house.
The key design concepts of rnt coffee house are inspired by the imagery and atmosphere of the poem itself. Designer JHY has long been exploring the idea of translating literature into architecture, beginning with our work at Hyoseok Art Valley. rnt coffee house continues that vision, turning poetic inspiration into spatial storytelling.
A Design Inspired by Poetic Choices
The name rnt stems from Robert Frost’s poem, and the imagery of the “two roads” is the core metaphor that defines the space. Just like the poem, the visual motif of diverging paths becomes the central design language of the interior. Most interior elements at rnt coffee house follow a V-shape, symbolizing the idea of choices and paths, creating a cohesive narrative that makes the café feel personal and meaningful to visitors.
Main Entrance: A Warm First Impression
The entrance features a custom wooden door, replacing the old aluminum-framed glass door. The wood finish uses a herringbone-like V-pattern, echoing the café’s core visual motif. Made of oak, the door conveys warmth and adds a distinctive personality that sets it apart from typical retail entrances. The oversized door handle offers a tactile, satisfying experience, giving guests a memorable first touch.
Butterfly Ceiling Wing: Light and Atmosphere
One of the most striking design features of rnt coffee house is the butterfly-shaped ceiling above the coffee station. Using the existing structural H-beams, a soft curved ceiling was created to act as a reflector for indirect lighting, setting the overall tone of the space. Constructed with solid panels, the ceiling’s smooth curves meet health and finish standards, while also delivering a clean, hygienic look. Track lights are carefully positioned to complement the ambient light, providing a comfortable and functional brightness level.
Arch-Shaped Lintel: A Logo in Space
The rnt logo, designed in collaboration with an architect, is inspired by the letter “n”, and all structural lintels in the space reflect this in their arched forms. The primary logo is placed at the main entrance and on the coffee station wall, creating a strong visual connection between the brand and the space. The shape of the “n” subtly suggests a gateway to the unknown path, echoing the deeper message of “The Road Not Taken.”
Unified and Harmonious Design
At rnt coffee house, visual unity is essential. To keep the focus on the coffee and the people, all other design elements are intentionally restrained and harmonized. Architectural elements, furniture, and lighting are carefully coordinated, creating a calm and balanced environment that avoids monotony.
The “yellow wood” mentioned in Frost’s poem serves as a key color theme for the café, influencing the palette of the floor, walls, and ceiling. Colors range from light ivory to natural wood tones, with lighting kept below 3000K to maintain a warm, cozy glow. Just like a forest of yellow woods, rnt coffee house offers a sense of warmth and comfort, inviting guests to linger and reflect.
JHY designed a collection of special goods for the RNT Coffee House, moving beyond conventional tumblers and coffee cups to introduce unique, custom-made fabric items such as bags and cushions.
The jacquard fabrics were developed in collaboration with the manufacturer QUEVO, based on a graphic motif inspired by the cover of a historic Robert Frost poetry collection. JHY personally produced samples for each item to ensure design integrity and quality control throughout the development process.
The design and craftsmanship of these custom goods will continue to be refined and enhanced until they fully meet JHY’s standards, contributing to a distinctive and cohesive brand experience for the RNT Coffee House.
Related ProjectJHY designed custom chairs and tea tables exclusively for the RNT Coffee House. Both the chair and table feature a symbolic V-shaped design language, carved into the surfaces and finished with carefully selected natural wood veneer.
The chair’s V-shaped carved back panel is not only a visual expression of the design concept but also a functional element, allowing guests to hang bags and personal belongings conveniently. The seating height was meticulously set at 17-1/2 inches to ensure optimal comfort, and the table height was proportioned accordingly to maintain ergonomic harmony.
These custom-designed chairs and tea tables contribute to a distinctive and memorable atmosphere, reinforcing the unique identity of the RNT Coffee House.
Related ProjectThe Butterfly Wing ceiling feature originates from the core design concept of the RNT Coffee House. The “V” shape symbolizes two diverging roads in a yellow wood, serving as the most visually striking element of the interior and a defining feature of the integrated lighting ceiling design.
Constructed from wood, the structure was carefully engineered to balance durability with manageable weight, allowing efficient installation by a two-person crew. The installation is supported by an existing H-beam that forms part of the building’s roof structure. To achieve precise curvature and consistency, the rounded ribs were fabricated using CNC machining.
Once installed, the butterfly wing form subtly reflects the integrated lighting, creating a calm and warm atmosphere that enhances the overall spatial experience of the café.
Related ProjectWe conducted a site survey at a location situated in the heart of Fullerton.
The existing floor requires repair and preparation for a durable epoxy finish.
Our inspection included a review of the plumbing, electrical systems, and HVAC installations.
The ceiling height provides a spacious and open atmosphere, enhancing the overall sense of comfort even though it requires R30 insulation installation.
Our meeting with the local architect and general contractor was productive and highly informative.
Related Project