Pure Java

How many design briefs begin with an honest, unpretentious aim that is anything but overdone? 7 Speed Coffee, named for seven bicycle-enthusiast friends, began with that very premise. It’s an easy, laid-back spot in Kemang Utara with a fun, skater-slash-biker approach to the decor. The concrete floors paired with white walls could have been austere, but one of the owners, designer Eko Priharseno, chose long, plywood bench seating across the back of the shop with scattered cushions to keep the surroundings casual and comfortable. Stacks of books sit alongside cacti and other plants, with light wood accents further downplaying any seriousness. The skate decks incorporated into the coffee bar’s pour-over design provide a playful touch, plus there’s a full-sized bicycle that serves as the shop’s primary piece of art.

For something a little more refined, Kopi Kalyan is a more spacious site that marries rough surfaces with a polished appeal. Formerly a residential space, half of its interior is left in a raw, unfinished state, while the other half is perfectly finished with plasterboard, tile and polished-concrete tops. Two outdoor areas give a distinct nod to traditional Japanese garden design; they also thankfully provide separate smoking areas. Interior designer Putri Yulandari selected wood and metal furnishings to offset the concrete shell, and handmade ceramic mugs are an appealing detail. The sensibility is minimal and also modest, young yet entirely comfortable.

One Fifteenth Coffee is another destination in the southern part of the city. Bright and open, the location features a friendly mix of materials and textures. Architectural designers Stephanie and David Getty — the owner’s sister and brother-in-law at Studio Getty — chose to encourage interaction by keeping the seating area communal. There is the sense that culture is woven into the fabric of the space, as photographs from local artists are offset by wooden slat walls and rough-hewn rugs and textiles. Windows along the front facade let light spill into the main area, while an open, atrium-like entrance connects the ground level with the function space on the second floor. With much of the wooden furniture and finishings being of Studio Getty’s own design, there’s a sense of thoughtful tailoring in the surroundings.

Further out towards the Bintaro area, Kopi Manyar is a definitive landmark for all architecture aficionados. Designed and owned by the four architects of Andramatin, Kopi Manyar was conceived in order to make architecture more accessible to the general public. After all, what better way to lure everyone behind its minimally designed facade than to provide some of the best coffee in Indonesia? Outdoor spaces blend into the interior gallery rooms, with art and installations thoughtfully curated according to a series of rotating themes. Each space within is minimal and intimate, with large glass doors and varying floor levels leading the eye up and around to appreciate the view. Angie Miranti, one of Kopi Manyar’s architects, says that they continue to host monthly talks along with art exhibitions to further invite the community to become involved in conversations surrounding architecture. To be sure, one will leave Kopi Manyar feeling at least a little intellectually elevated, as the atmosphere of timeless architecture encourages quiet contemplation.