# Ethereal Mesh Canopy Cafes Kengo Kuma and Associates Designs the Cs Somme Cafe By Amy Duong | Published 2025-03-26 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cs-somme-cafe References: [kkaa.co.jp](http://kkaa.co.jp/en/)  Architecture firm [Kengo Kuma and Associates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/from-the-coastline-we-progress) has designed the Cs Somme Cafe using [steel and mesh materials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flickering-peak). These are joined to form a canopy with a web style and it is located in Fukuoka, Japan. The steel parts interlock to create a framework, which is notably earthquake-resistant. The cafe is also inside of the rectangular volume connected to the steel beams which supports the canopy. Kengo Kuma and Associates notes, "We designed an ethereal cafe drifting on a small green in a big city. Wrapped in mesh, the cafe shimmers like a mirage: an oasis floating in the middle of the urban landscape. The interlocking of the arched steel frame supporting the mesh and the grid-like steel frame supporting the inner rectangular boxes ensures sufficient earthquake resistance in spite of the thin members." Image Credit: Kengo Kuma and Associates ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.1/10 - Popularity: 71% | Activity: 75% | Freshness: 38% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Sustainable Urban Design:** The lightweight mesh canopy of the cafe offers a solution for integrating sustainable architecture into urban environments, enhancing both aesthetic appeal and environmental efficiency. - **Innovative Earthquake-resistance:** The use of interlocking steel frameworks presents a new approach to creating structures that are both visually striking and capable of withstanding seismic activity. - **Ethereal Architectural Elements:** The shimmering effect of the mesh canopy represents a trend towards incorporating ethereal and dynamic visual elements into architectural design, creating unique urban experiences. ### Where This Applies - **Architecture and Design:** The integration of innovative materials and construction techniques in structures like the Cs Somme Cafe signifies a shift towards more creative and resilient architectural designs. - **Urban Development:** Adaptive design strategies in cafes located within bustling cities highlight opportunities for transformative urban development that prioritizes flexibility and resilience. - **Material Science:** Exploration of mesh and steel interactions in constructing the ethereal canopy opens up new innovation avenues in material science for creating adaptive and durable building materials. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Reimagined Tea Pavilions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wire-mesh.md) - [Wooden Pillar Japanese Cafes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blue-bottle-coffee-cafe.md) - [Concrete South Korean Cafes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nonspace.md) - [Art Center Sweeping Canopies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/centro-de-arte-moderna-gulbenkian.md) - [Cross-Influence Fusion Cafes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/challe-caf.md) - [Glass-Walled Shanghai Cafes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mei-yuan-cafe.md) - [Waterfall Cafe Pavilions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ellipsis-cafe-bar.md) - [Parkside Riverport Sweets Cafes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/funamachi-base.md) - [Redeveloped Industrial Cafés](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ironworks-caf.md)