基努咖啡馆丨土耳其丨KUD

While Mediterranean cities are generally known for their vibrancy, few match the fast-paced vibe of Istanbul. The city’s sheer size and geographical location, straddling two continents, come with a large number of colourful and continuously evolving neighbourhoods. Beyoğlu, situated on the European side, has long been a hotbed of cool retail and hospitality concepts, and now, it pitches in with a venue dedicated exclusively to matcha and its growing crowd of aficionados. Called kinu, it’s a hospitality extension of local arts, culture and lifestyle platform Illusory Superiority, and occupies a compact unit on the ground floor of a five-storey residential structure. The design, created by designer Tolga Sencer of Istanbul-based architecture and interior design practice KUD, takes cues from Japanese minimalism, captured by a restrained material palette.

The latter includes stainless steel, timber and concrete, selected to either gain a distinguished patina over time or accentuate modernity. Concepted as a new-generation matcha bar, kinu‘s design also incorporates stillness, ritual, and mindful slowing down, all elements of traditional matcha culture, to elevate the spatial experience. Indoor seating comprises three stools by the window, while additional benches can be found on the terraced outdoors. Additionally, lighting contributes to the cool vibe at kinu. Soft gradient transitions, provided by two grids of ceiling lights and opaque back panels, replace sharp boundaries, while Indirect and layered lighting introduces warmth and a subtle exposure of the setting. The menu at kinu features a variety of seasonal matcha concoctions, including a number of latte options, in addition to various coffee classics, teas, and a selection of pastries. © superfuture

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Photography: Emrah Aydemir