Cafés Offer Space for Meditation

People usually go to a café to have a conversation with others, but the opposite desire could also be a reason to seek out a café. We visited three cafés designed, architecturally as well, to encourage people to have a meditation. By having a quiet time to look into ourselves and controlling our minds, we will be able to better navigate life’s journey.

A Comma Drawn With Ink, Mukri 459

The curtain of nightfall is drawn earlier in a rural town than in a city. There are neither buildings whose lights remain turned on for those working overtime nor street lamps guiding your way home in darkness. Coming across a well-lit structure in such an environment is a pleasant surprise. Just like the white pebbles Hansel and Gretel used to leave a trail home, small lights lead you to café ‘Mukri 459.’ The area known as ‘Muk-ri’ was a place where ink, or ‘muk’ in Korean, was produced. As an homage to the beautiful natural surroundings of the area, the café was named ‘Mukri 459,’ which is part of the actual address ‘459 Muk-ri, Idong-eup, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si.’ “We wanted to build a place that can offer a complete rest to those who are exhausted by urban living through ‘borrowed scenery.’ Adopting our ancestors’ mindset of living in harmony with nature, the owners erected a low-lying building of ink color next to Mount Sanbong as if they were drawing an ink painting.

“Seasonal changes are fully conveyed through the windows. In spring, sprouting yellowish-green buds on the trees that have weathered the harsh winter and refreshing breezes stir up your mind; in summer, stretches of lush greenery covering the forest remind us of the vitality of nature. Bask in nature, unwind, and take a deep breath while you are here.”

Composed of two buildings and a courtyard inspired by the trajectory of stars, Mukri 459 designed each space to embrace the acts of emptying, filling, and awakening. As you walk from a space to another, you are encouraged to empty your mind, refresh yourself, and then recharge. The entrance with a minimal lighting is designated for a ‘time of emptying.’ The unique ceiling structure is reminiscent of the meandering mountain road leading to the café. There is only indirect lighting with a low level of illumination. You may feel suddenly distanced from reality as you pass the dimmed entrance. Next you go through the corridor connecting the two buildings, known as the ‘moment of awakening.’ Finally you reach your destination of the ‘moment of filling’ meant to provide a complete stop. The floor-to-ceiling windows surround the space for you to rediscover nature outside the building, which is also clutter-free to help your rest. You can have a quiet time, focusing on your breathing as you soak in nature.

Address 484 Iwon-ro, Idong-eup, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do
Phone +82-31-335-4590
Hours 11:00-20:00 (Closing dates to be notified on Instagram)
Instagram www.instagram.com/mukri_459

For Urban Getaway and Relaxing Rituals, Green Lab

Go on a meditation picnic to the second floor of ‘Green Lab.’ Located near Seoul Forest, Green Lab is a cultural complex offering a variety of contents including healing programs with holistic approaches and relaxing rituals. The three-story building comprises a range of spaces specializing in flower arrangement, tea, scent, yoga, and meditation. The studio on the second floor is offered for tea-drinking and meditation. From 1pm to 6:30pm, a program titled ‘Enjoying My Own Seoul Forest’ takes place. Those who participate sit in quietude as they spend time watching Seoul Forest across the large panel window. Speaking is strictly prohibited during the program. You can either meditate or choose the activities the program offers along with a basket. It contains tea, refreshments, a book, a flower, a piece of paper and a pen. You can get some reading done, or write a letter on the piece of paper, or even transcribe the book. The wide view of Seoul Forest creates a sensation that you are actually sitting in the park.

“We visit Seoul Forest to give ourselves a break from stress and relax. These days, however, it is difficult to fully enjoy the space and a quiet time due to the crowd, bad weather conditions, or fine dust. Green Lab, situated right next to Seoul Forest, is not a real forest but a small building. We thought the space could function as sort of an alternative to what we expect from the forest.”

There is a different way through which you can have a time of meditation inside Green Lab. Take out a vinegar beverage from the drink bar on the 0.5th floor, go up to the rooftop garden on the third floor, and feel the sunlight and breeze while sipping on the drink. In addition, you can visit the Tea Room which exudes a Korean traditional ambience. The experienced tea master brews a cup of tea for you. The Tea Room requires advance booking but the tea classes are not so regimented. A maximum of four can share a one-hour class which provides two kinds of teas and refreshments that blend well together. The second floor studio holds healing programs such as vegan food yoga and singing bowl meditation, morning and night.

Address 18-11 Seoulsup 2-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Phone +82-2-499-5833
Hours 12:00-19:00, Closed on Mondays
Instagram www.instagram.com/greenlab_seoulforest

Thinking Stemming From Disconnection, LEEDO SAU

Our days are spent in mountains of thoughts and contacts. To clear our minds and reflect on ourselves, we went to ‘LEEDO SAU.’ In a small village in Sejong City, a rectangular structure without even a single window appears as if it is some sort of a mark that was sent by aliens in outer space. “Sejong is a new city developed to play the role of a self-governing entity. Its architectural style is largely generic across the city, being high-rise apartment or officetel buildings of similar designs. It appears somewhat dry and boring. We wanted people to go through the process of ‘refinement,’ clearing out their tiring daily routine and experiencing a time to face themselves,” explained the architectural office ATMOROUND in charge of the design. The simple square metal mass exterior and site being located not too close to the living area can be attributed to such a process.

“The surface of the wall, which slightly leans backwards, works as a back of the chair. Your eyes naturally look up to the sky. We wanted the space to help our customers face themselves while gazing at the view of the courtyard and sky.”

Walking into the entrance to LEEDO SAU, you first arrive at the courtyard, covered with a layer of fog. It’s an engineered fog to facilitate the pondering process of the customers. The fog blurs the lines of objects around while your senses remain alert and transparent. There is no noise of phones vibrating or ringing that would interrupt the thinking time. The use of steel as a finishing material interrupts airwaves and results in bad cell phone connection. However, it was left intentionally so to help people focus on themselves. The metal panels of the café exterior also contribute to making the building blend in with the surroundings. Watching the change of time and season through that of the sunlight reflected on the exterior surface is an enjoyable experience in itself.

Address 497 Geumnamgujeuk-ro, Geumnam-myeon, Sejong
Phone +82-44-868-0000
Hours 10:00-18:00
Instagram www.instagram.com/leedo_coffee

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