Fishtank Café by Office AIO: A Bold Coffee Shop Transformation in Nanjing

Fishtank Café, designed by Office AIO, is a unique coffee shop in Nanjing, China, that transforms an unlikely location into a striking cultural hub. Completed in 2022 with a total area of 156 m², this project redefines what a café can be, blending architecture, branding, and urban culture into one cohesive experience.

From Storage Room to Coffee Landmark

Unlike most cafes, Fishtank Café was not born in a trendy district but inside an arena. Previously a storage room, the site sits between two overhanging bridges, facing a bustling four-lane ring road, and overlooking a parking zone. Its cold grey façade, marked by vents and recess lines, was uninspiring. Yet, Office AIO saw this as an opportunity—turning a hidden corner into a destination café and lifestyle brand.

Concept: A Café Like a Fish Tank

The architects reimagined the space as a contained world within a world, much like a fish tank. The glass façade separates the café’s calm interior from the noisy city outside, offering patrons an escape. Once inside, visitors are immersed in a carefully crafted environment that feels both intimate and expansive.

Exterior and Entry Design

The original vents became clever design features—one now serving as an exit door, while a large rotating door allows glimpses inside. When opened, this entry creates a welcoming gesture, inviting passersby to step into a new environment. An orange brick tile floor connects the exterior street pavement to the café’s semi-outdoor buffer zone, blurring boundaries and encouraging community gathering.

Interior Design: A Calming Contrast

Inside, Fishtank Café contrasts the chaos outside with a serene material palette.

• Terrazzo flooring in speckled soft white brightens the footprint.
• A slanted textured plaster ceiling in warm grey mimics floating pumice waves, hiding soft seams for lighting.
• A green plant box adds freshness and life, softening the concrete environment.

The result is a calm yet vibrant space where architecture, light, and nature interact.

The Coffee Bar as the Heart

At the center, the bar area is designed like rocks in an aquatic world—composed of blocks in varying heights and angles. This asymmetry enhances the site’s irregular geometry while adding playfulness. Movable stools invite guests to sit close, watch baristas at work, and engage in conversations about coffee culture.

Seating: Flexible and Social

Around the bar, a C-shaped Corian bench curves along the walls, opening toward the entrance. This seamless design offers varied depths for different seating experiences. Patrons can create personal “nooks” with movable cushions and tables, adapting the space to their preferences.

Custom Furniture and Colors

Office AIO curated every element, from furniture to finishes, to reflect the brand’s identity:

• Acrylic tables paired with warm oak and pale green tones.
• Tan leather and raw steel stools by FRAMA for a “super-normal” aesthetic.
• Pastel hues and minimalist forms enhance the sense of lighthearted escape.

A New Coffee Culture in Nanjing

Fishtank Café is more than a place to grab coffee—it’s a community destination and an architectural statement. By reinventing an overlooked space, Office AIO created an immersive coffee experience that balances calmness, creativity, and cultural relevance.

All the photographs are works of Wen Studio