Café So_lo _ Copacabana, The project for the third SOLO brand café in Copacabana, RJ, which stands for Sustainable, Organic, and Local, originated from a space consisting of two adjacent street stores in the block by Copacabana beach. The first step of the project involved the initial revealing and peeling away of the entire robust visible structure of the Art Deco building.
Courtesy of Estúdio Chão
A generous street store, in a location that, through research, was once occupied by a famous snack bar/ice cream shop in the 1970s. Based on this pre-existing image, an extensive counter was envisioned, winding around the pillars, defining the entire space of the store and the open kitchen in the dining area.
Courtesy of Estúdio Chão
Soon, the counter became the main element of the store, handcrafted using the technique of rammed earth with crushed red clay. The material chosen for the construction of the counter became a strong element of the café’s brand. The emphasis is highlighted by a bright environment and shelves made of fine white metalwork and stainless steel plates, drawing attention to the visual weight created by the clay.
Courtesy of Estúdio Chão
A mix of contrasting materials that are purely artisanal with excessively precise and technological materials, along with the floor made of red Portuguese stone, contribute to the sense of craftsmanship of the counter, suggesting a continuity with the pavement along the beach. An invitation for a street experience, a café for the residents and visitors of Copacabana.
Project Info
Architects: Estúdio Chäo
Country: Brazil, Rio de Janeiro
Area: 90 m²
Year: 2025
Photographs: Courtesy of Estúdio Chäo
Coordination: Antonio Pedro Coutinho Doca, Adriano Carneiro de Mendonça
Project Team: João Victor Assad, Cristiana Villela
Engineering & Consulting > Lighting: Carolina Sahione
General Construction: Ecogreen Engenharia
Engineering & Consulting > Others: Alfatec
Isabelle Laurent is a Built Projects Editor at Arch2O, recognized for her editorial insight and passion for contemporary architecture. She holds a Master’s in Architectural Theory from École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Paris-Belleville. Before joining Arch2O in 2016, she worked in a Paris-based architectural office and taught as a faculty adjunct at the École Spéciale d’Architecture in Paris. Isabelle focuses on curating projects around sustainability, adaptive reuse, and urban resilience. With a background in design and communication, she brings clarity to complex ideas and plays a key role in shaping Arch2O’s editorial