Lantern on the Lake
Tea and Coffee House
A Cafe placed on Soerne Lake in Copenhagen, Denmark.
I designed a cafe for my final project studying Architecture at DIS Copenhagen.
Through sketches and watercolors, I envisioned a café floating atop the lake like a glowing lantern, its wooden architecture encasing the warm light within. Expansive skylights flood the space with natural light by day, bringing in blue skies and an airy atmosphere, while at night, the café becomes a luminous beacon on the water. Designed to exist in harmony with nature, it is nestled within a rolling hill system, seamlessly blending into the landscape. Year-round, it serves as a serene retreat in the heart of Copenhagen, offering a quiet escape within the natural elements.
The wood building creates a warm natural environment nestled among this island park system I have envisioned. The flowing dock system winds through the three islands with terraced elevations and picnic tables dispersed among the terrain.
Process.
We visited the site on a gloomy winter day in Copenhagen, but we imagined it in summer—birds chirping, trees swaying, and people bustling around. The promise of sunlight inspired my café, where long skylights flood the space with light, casting linear patterns that guide visitors to the outdoor terrace. There, they are met with a stunning view overlooking the lake and Copenhagen’s horizon.
