The curves of the architecture reflect the image of a volcanic crater, while the wall patterns, with their flowing lines, create a sense of movement. These details have come together to form the cutting-edge restaurant and café, “Ember Cafe & Wine,” located at Rama 9 Soi 43, Bangkok. It is the latest architectural work designed and built with the innovative “SCG 3D Printing” technology. This 3D printing technology uses mortar to construct freeform buildings, allowing for curving lines and shapes in a way that is not possible with traditional construction. The café’s partner, Mr. Calvin Fong, was inspired by the Grand Canyon in the United States. The challenging design became a stunning architectural creation that feels seamlessly integrated with nature.
The Grand Canyon is one of the world’s natural wonders and is likely on many people’s bucket lists. Today, its beauty has been brought to life in Rama 9 Soi 43. To make this café resemble the Grand Canyon as closely as possible, one of the key elements was to design the architecture as realistically as possible. Mr. Calvin Fong chose to use SCG 3D Printing to fulfill his design needs. The design reflects attention to detail and craftsmanship, creating a building with curved shapes resembling a volcanic crater. The wall patterns and the use of earthy red tones further emphasize the natural look. Not only does this approach meet the design requirements and provide the desired shapes, but it also offers environmental benefits. The construction time is reduced by 30%, and using off-site construction to produce the key components in a factory and then assembling them on-site helps minimize delays, reduce waste by 70%, and cut down carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by up to 1,000 kilograms. Despite these efficiencies, the aesthetic quality remains beautifully intact.
Mr. Calvin Fong, who is both a co-owner and the chef of the café, views the use of SCG 3D Printing as an exciting innovation that allows the creation of shapes and designs that traditional methods could not achieve. For example, the natural light skylight features a curved design that adds a sense of relaxation, softening the building’s rigid angles. The use of natural light to reduce energy consumption is another advantage of using this 3D printing method. Therefore, SCG 3D Printing has made it possible to turn the envisioned design into reality.
Ember Cafe & Wine occupies 73 square wah and has a usable area of 200 square meters (including the back walkway and parking area). Upon entering the café, the design details are evident in every aspect. For example, the windows are designed to allow natural light to filter in, making the space feel airy and connected to the outdoors. This creates a relaxing atmosphere where patrons can enjoy dynamic views, with the interplay of light and shadow throughout the day.
Mr. Calvin Fong shared his inspiration for opening the café: “My passion for wine and food sparked my desire to travel the world to gain new experiences, learn about different cultures, and find rare, high-quality ingredients. Personally, I’ve always been fond of the charm of cooking with fire, as it’s a traditional method. In the past, we didn’t need electricity; we used charcoal or firewood for cooking. As such, each dish we serve here is a work of art, with fire used to control the flavor with care in a Western style.”
The café also places great importance on wine storage to maintain quality and taste. The ideal temperature range for wine storage is between 15–18°C, and to protect the wine from sunlight and heat, the wine storage room was carefully designed, considering the direction of sunlight to minimize direct exposure that could degrade the wine’s quality. Thanks to the SCG 3D Printing technology, the temperature inside the storage room can be kept 3-5°C lower than the outside temperature. This design balances both functionality and modernity, ensuring that every bottle of wine is perfectly preserved and ready to be served for special occasions.
The name “EMBER” refers to glowing ashes, while “Volcano” is the café’s concept. Both the name and the concept are inspired by the wine, which is mainly sourced from regions near volcanoes, and the cooking technique of using fire to cook food. Additionally, the letter “M” in the logo is designed to resemble a volcano, emphasizing the unique concept and identity of the café. “Ember Cafe & Wine” is not just a café and wine bar, but also a Class Studio and a community space for people who share a passion for wine and design to experience a new world of fine wine and innovative design.
Experience the fusion of future architecture with SCG 3D Printing technology and enjoy a delightful meal, coffee, and exquisite wine at Ember Cafe & Wine in Rama 9 Soi 43, Bangkok. The café is open daily (except Tuesdays) from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. For private bookings, you can reserve a table through Instagram @ember.bangkok.
For more information on SCG 3D Printing technology, contact 098-264-2024.
