GO-HONG : DOG CAFE'

A Playful Space Designed for People and Their Dogs

Category: F&B

Design by: The Collective Studio

Constructed by: Horniwork Production Specialist

Location: Bangkok

Area: 50 Sqm.

Completed: 2016

Photo Credit: Chatnarin Pramnapan

Go Hong Dog Café was designed as a playful and welcoming environment where people and dogs can comfortably spend time together.

Located within the same property as Crystal Pet Hospital in the Ramindra area, the café was envisioned as more than just a coffee shop—it was intended to become a shared social space for pets and their owners.

Designing from Behavior, Not Just Style

The project began when the owner approached us with a compact site measuring only 5 meters wide and 10 meters deep.

The goal was simple:

Create a small café where both humans and dogs could relax together.

Customers could either bring their dogs to play, spend time casually, or wait comfortably while visiting the nearby animal hospital.

As for the design direction, the client simply told us:

“Anything is fine—as long as it feels like The Collective Studio.”

Which, honestly, can sometimes be the most difficult brief of all.

Interestingly, the first thing we focused on was not the visual style or aesthetic direction.

Instead, we started by asking a more important question:

How can a dog café actually function well?

From our own experiences as dog owners—and after visiting many pet cafés ourselves—we noticed that most places simply arranged furniture like ordinary coffee shops.

But in reality, people eventually ended up sitting on the floor to play with their dogs anyway.

That observation became the true starting point of the design.

Planning the Space

The layout was designed around raised platform seating, allowing people and dogs to remain at the same level naturally and comfortably.

This made interaction easier and transformed the café into a more relaxed, playful environment.

The counter was positioned along the length of the shop, while the kitchen and restroom were placed toward the rear to maximize usable seating space.

A small high-bar seating zone was also added to increase capacity without making the café feel crowded.

The Origin of the Dog Face Facade

The visual identity of the café went through many design explorations.

We wanted something interesting and memorable, but still achievable within a limited construction budget.

At one point, we considered following the popular minimalist gable-roof café trend—but quickly realized it lacked personality.

Unable to find the right solution, we temporarily paused the project and escaped for a short break.

Then one morning, while casually sketching another project and eating snacks at home, one of our Golden Retrievers sat beside us staring intensely—hoping for food, as usual.

And suddenly, the idea appeared.

“What if the café façade became a dog’s face?”

That simple moment evolved into the signature identity of the project.

Rather than creating something overly cute, we translated the idea into a rougher, graphic-inspired architectural form—a kind of Modern Industrial Dog Face interpretation.

Materials & Atmosphere

The project used straightforward, affordable materials including:

• Wood

• Steel

• Metal sheets

• Painted brick walls

  
  

The palette was intentionally kept within muted gray industrial tones, balancing solid and transparent surfaces throughout the building.

Inside, the atmosphere becomes more playful through graphic wall illustrations and textured materials.

Painted celocrete panels were introduced to improve both acoustic performance and heat reduction while adding visual texture to the ceiling surfaces.

Wood-pattern vinyl flooring was selected to soften the industrial atmosphere and make the seating areas feel warmer and more comfortable.

Sometimes Design Begins by Accident

Many design ideas are not born from grand theories.

Sometimes they simply emerge from everyday moments.

A single starting point can evolve into countless directions depending on how far the idea is allowed to develop.

But for that to happen, trust between designer and client is essential.

And this project became one of those examples where openness and creativity came together naturally.

If you ever pass through the Ramindra area, stop by Go Hong Dog Café for coffee, desserts, and a relaxing moment.

Because here, both humans and dogs are equally welcome.