Situated at the heart of Songdo International City, the Paul Bassett Incheon Songdo DT (Drive-Thru) is envisioned not simply as a coffee outlet,
but as an open urban pavilion within the metropolitan landscape.
The site is located along a key urban axis that connects Songdo Convensia and Central Park, anchoring the store as a symbolic landmark and cultural node.
The freestanding two-level volume contrasts transparency and solidity: the ground floor opens up the drive-thru and pickup space,
revealing the energy of the barista bar, while the upper lounge secures panoramic views toward Songdo Convensia and the park in front,
transforming a brief stop into a spatial experience.
Vehicular and pedestrian flows are clearly separated for safety and efficiency,
while a welcoming canopy and landscaped forecourt soften the building’s presence along the wide arterial road.
The architectural language is articulated through three materials: expansive glazing that embodies openness,
finely profiled metal panels that wrap functional blocks, and exposed concrete paired with lighting that turns the store into a lantern after dusk.
The elevated lounge frames views of the convention center and public green,
extending the café experience beyond consumption and into dialogue with its urban surroundings.
The Songdo DT stands as a contemporary model of café architecture—where efficiency, urban context, and brand identity converge in one fluid gesture.