Bangkok-based studio Touch Architect has unveiled French Kitsch III, a charming patisserie located in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, inspired by the grandeur of French cathedrals and the delightful allure of pastries.
Spanning 360 square meters, this building features board-marked concrete, embodying a vision of Frenchness that draws from a rich tapestry of influences, including sacred architecture. “The architectural identity of French cathedrals, rooted in ancient history, serves as one of the primary inspirations for our interpretation of Frenchness, harmonizing with the essence of the ‘French Kitsch’ brand,” shared Parpis Leelaniramol, co-founder of Touch Architect.
Beyond cathedrals, the design also pays homage to another beloved French symbol: the croissant. The studio ingeniously incorporated the croissant’s shape into the interior of French Kitsch III, featuring a series of arches that boast slightly irregular forms.
“The space is defined by a rhythmic sequence of arches, each inspired by the curvature of a croissant when viewed in cross-section,” Leelaniramol elaborated. “Additionally, the board-formed concrete throughout the structure serves as a metaphor for the distinctive stripes of a croissant,” she continued. The use of concrete not only reinforces the theme of imperfection but also enhances the building’s character.
“By embracing the natural texture of concrete, we celebrate the beauty of imperfection, where the walls are intentionally not perfectly smooth, reflecting the authenticity of the material,” Leelaniramol noted. Some of the building’s curved elements also function as solar shades, effectively cooling the interior in the sweltering heat of Nakhon Ratchasima, where temperatures can soar to 37 degrees in spring.
“The thick walls and the inverted curves on the upper level serve as shading devices, mitigating the impact of direct sunlight,” Leelaniramol explained. Inside, slender LED lights illuminate the arched concrete walls, accentuating their graceful forms, while arched windows frame picturesque views of the outside world.
“As sunlight streams through the elegantly arched window, it casts shimmering reflections across the floor, reminiscent of the intricate patterns found in cathedral glass,” the studio explained. A lengthy counter stretches along one wall on the ground floor, visible from the second level. To enhance the influx of light, the studio ingeniously carved voids into the concrete.
Touch Architect also incorporated pockets of greenery within the interior, providing a striking contrast to the stark grey concrete.
“Given the site’s limited dimensions, the building must optimize every inch to fulfill all functional needs, leaving no space for an outdoor landscape,” Leelaniramol noted. “Thus, we have woven green areas into the very fabric of the architecture.”
Throughout the café, charming pink bulldogs—symbols of the French Kitsch brand—are artfully displayed.
“A local sculptor crafted the pink bulldog sculptures based on our design, thoughtfully considering their placement in each area to foster a welcoming atmosphere and genuinely engage with our customers,” Leelaniramol concluded.