LIAOLIAO Café (at Museum) is located next to the Sui and Tang Dynasty City Ruins Park, just one street away from the Luoyang Museum. In this historically rich setting, the design respects the site’s cultural heritage through thoughtful materials and details, while using bold contrasts in scale and form to create a fresh, independent brand identity. The result is a soft yet confident contemporary building that stands out in the solemn museum environment.

The architecture integrates two main elements: an undulating wave-like roof inspired by the ancient Luo River, which gives the building strong sculptural character, and a slender rectangular volume that is boldly cut open in the middle. This “break” creates a transparent glass corridor, allowing interior and exterior spaces to flow together and adding a sense of fluidity and poetry.

Outdoors, mirror-polished stainless steel and weathering steel (Corten) form a striking material dialogue. The mirror steel reflects the sky, trees, and museum silhouette, making the building appear to disappear and re-emerge with the changing light. The Corten steel develops a deep rust-red patina over time, adding warmth and industrial depth.

Inside, the space feels open and dramatic. Generous windows frame beautiful views of lush trees, lawns, and the distant museum, bringing the outdoors in. Raw stone walls and exposed steel structures highlight material honesty, balanced by warm wooden furniture, leather seating, and soft lighting that create a comfortable, human atmosphere.

Another notable aspect is the project’s sustainability focus. The wave-shaped roof optimizes natural airflow for passive ventilation, reducing mechanical cooling needs. Large low-E glass and high clerestory windows maximize daylight, while exposed structures and honest materials minimize waste and secondary finishes.

The project combines sincere materials, dynamic form, and warm atmosphere. With its open and transparent contemporary language, it forms an elegant dialogue with its historic surroundings — becoming a welcoming place to linger near the Luoyang Museum.