Situated inside a shopping mall in Jakarta, the visually striking Six Degrees Café immediately captures attention with its undulating timber interior. A continuous skin of timber slats wraps the walls and ceiling of the space, spaced at 150 mm intervals. This rhythmic timber surface breaks the monotony and clean look of the rectangular interior and gives the café its distinctive spatial character.
The café takes its name from the “six degrees of separation” theory, which suggests that every person in the world is connected through six or fewer social connections. Designed by +OOZN Design, a Singapore-based studio specialising in architecture, interior design and landscape, the 208-square-metre café translates this idea of connection into a social and welcoming environment, envisioned as a place where people come together over a shared experience.
With a rectangular floor plan and a 16-metre-long shopfront along its longest edge, the most striking visual elements are revealed within. Upon entering, visitors are greeted by the wave-like timber ceiling and wall surfaces that flow continuously through the space, creating an almost cave-like atmosphere. The timber slats, made from veneer plywood panels, were carefully handcrafted by local carpenters, meticulously following the designers’ drawings.
What gives the interior its strong visual impact is the in-and-out depth of the timber fins. These layered elements not only create a sculptural interior but also conceal ceiling services and contribute to improving the acoustics within the café, an important feature in a lively social setting with constant movement and background noise.
The warm tones of the timber veneer are paired with a concrete screed floor and darker interior finishes, creating a calm and grounded retreat from the busy mall environment outside. Natural materials and a restrained palette reinforce the café’s relaxed and intimate atmosphere.
Lighting plays a subtle but important role in shaping the experience. Each table is paired with its own pendant light, casting a soft glow onto the timber surfaces, while recessed lighting further enhances the depth of the undulating structure. The result is a carefully balanced ambience that feels both inviting and immersive.
The layout offers four distinct seating areas, allowing the space to adapt to different rhythms of use from larger groups gathering around the central bar table to individuals seeking a quieter corner to read, work, or enjoy a more intimate moment.
For questions about certified, sustainable Malaysian timber species, availability, or suitable applications, feel free to contact the Malaysian Timber Council via the question section below. We will be happy to provide further information! Or just tell us what you think of this project.