Indonesia is renowned for its rich architectural heritage, often celebrated through vernacular design—a style deeply rooted in local needs, materials, traditions, and environmental conditions. This philosophy of architecture emphasizes harmony with the surroundings and cultural continuity.

The Narabe Cafe stands on the site of a former petrol station, a creative transformation originally envisioned by Riscadana Architect, who earned an Honourable Mention for revitalizing this space into a vibrant café and retail hub. Grassociates was founded by a principal who began his career as a junior architect at Riscadana and later chose to establish his own practice.

In this project, Grassociates was tasked with further developing the site by creatively utilizing existing elements and upgrading facilities to meet the evolving needs of the community and contemporary trends. Their interventions included creating several new retail spots and hotspots, introducing a variety of seating areas, and redefining the building’s façade to present a fresh and dynamic appearance from the street. This careful balance of respecting the site’s history while injecting modern vitality exemplifies a contemporary approach to vernacular architecture and community-focused design.