Café Bon9: A Playful Pet-Friendly Café on Yeongjongdo Island by PRACTICE + HOFFICE

Location: Jung-gu, Yeongjongdo Island, South Korea Architects: PRACTICE + HOFFICE Project Area: 462 m² Year Completed: 2021 Photography: © Ho Han Landscape Design: Botanical Studio SAM Interior Collaboration: HOFFICE + Ho Han

A Multi-Level Café Experience for Pets and People Alike

Nestled on Yeongjongdo Island in South Korea, Café Bon9 redefines the traditional café typology by merging architecture, play, and companionship. Designed collaboratively by Seoul-based studios PRACTICE and HOFFICE, the three-story space is crafted not just for humans—but for pets and their owners to share meaningful, interactive experiences.

This innovative pet café goes beyond novelty. It functions as a social playground, using architectural elements and custom furniture to enhance interactions between species, catering to both canine scale and human comfort.

Spatial Composition: Three Floors, Endless Encounters

Each level of Café Bon9 presents a distinct spatial arrangement, curated to offer varied atmospheres and seating typologies. Rather than a repetitive layout, each floor unfolds a new scenario—inviting users to explore and engage in different ways.

From intimate tables near sunlit windows to open communal areas, the design fosters both social interaction and quiet relaxation. The circulation through levels encourages exploration, while every corner integrates thoughtfully crafted furniture for human-animal coexistence.

Design Concept: A Playground for All Species

The underlying design philosophy was inspired by the idea of a shared playground. Instead of merely allowing pets inside, the architecture itself accommodates them—blurring the boundaries between user, furniture, and function.

By carefully considering the ergonomics of both pets and people, the design incorporates:

• Sloped surfaces for dogs to climb and descend naturally
• Shared benches that comfortably seat humans and their pets
• Tiered “stand stairs” with varying heights to suit all body types

This tactile and spatial diversity reflects the core concept: architecture as a mediator of interaction.

Warmth in Form and Materiality

A key strength of Café Bon9 lies in its emotive material palette. To convey warmth and welcome, the designers embraced:

• Orange epoxy flooring for vibrancy and energy
• Wood-grain curved walls to soften spatial boundaries
• Custom yellow furniture that adds a playful yet cohesive identity

The consistent use of warm tones across floors, walls, and furnishings creates a holistic atmosphere—instantly recognizable and deeply inviting.

A New Benchmark for Pet-Friendly Design

Café Bon9 is more than a coffee stop; it’s a model for inclusive public space, where design nurtures emotional connections between humans and animals. Its architectural language challenges the conventional and proposes a future where hospitality, design, and empathy intersect seamlessly.