As a veritable hotbed of creativity on numerous levels, it isn’t hard to imagine life in Seoul has plenty to offer its savvy dwellers. This past decade, the South Korean capital’s hospitality has seen a huge wave of cool establishments, each one catering to different demographics with design-led interiors and alluring menus, and the end of that trend is nowhere in sight—indeed, move over Tokyo! One of the latest striking arrivals in the scene is DICA, a café and bar in the Yongsan area of town. Situated right beside the bustling four-lane Ichon-ro, the venue occupies a 120 sqm. (1,292 sq.ft.) unit on the ground floor of a modern building and features an interior design by local architecture and design practice Artefact. The location was previously used as storage space, and adding a palette of new materials and walls wasn’t considered an option to create a new setting.

A fascination of cantilevered buildings of the architectural team has resulted in a rather spectacular volume—an eight-metre cantilevered table. This prominent design element addresses a number of challenges, such as efficient movement, provide areas that serve public purposes and private needs, and and areas where to process products and services. DICA‘s centre piece seats twelve guests and is paired with matching robust chairs crafted from fibreglass. It’s flanked on one side by a service and sales counter, while on the other side a low cushioned bench lines the walls, paired with an elongated fibreglass low table. In the backdrop of pristinely painted walls, veneer-clad pillars, metal panelling and black curtains, it’s the raw concrete blocks from which the centre piece protrudes that stand stand out. The menu at DICA lists coffees, teas, soft drink and wines, in addition to a concise number of small dishes. © superfuture