- Project: Cang 41
- Architect: JUMGO Creative
- Location: China, Chongli, Hebei
- Year: 2023
- Area: 270 m2
- Photography: Chuan He
Ski Culture Meets Architecture
Following the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, skiing has surged in popularity across China. At the heart of this revival is Chongli, a mountain town in Hebei celebrated for its slopes. For skiers, Chongli represents more than a destination—it’s a lifestyle.
It is here that a group of enthusiasts founded Cang 41, a brand and venue that merges coffee culture, nightlife, and ski identity into a single architectural experience. Designed by JUMGO Creative, the project takes its name from the town’s latitude (41°N) and positions itself as a “ski cellar sanctuary.”
A Storefront Like a Polar Station
The design concept draws from the imagery of polar research stations—robust, striking, and deeply embedded in snowy landscapes.
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Facade: The storefront is conceived as a “sanctuary in snow”, visually bold against winter’s whiteness and instantly recognizable on Chongli’s main street.
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Atmosphere: The exterior intrigues; the interior enchants. Just as in relationships, the architects note, attraction begins outside but deepens once inside.
Interior: From Cold Outside to Warm Inside
Crossing the threshold, visitors encounter a contrasting world: a cozy, vibrant interior that counters the harsh snowy exterior. The design embraces functional duality:
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Daytime café: Bright and welcoming, with warm tones and natural light.
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Nighttime bar: Darker, more atmospheric, designed for intimate conversations and cocktails.
This spatial sequencing guides visitors from light to shadow, transforming mood and use within a compact footprint.
Details Define the Brand
Cang 41 is more than design spectacle—it’s a brand experience crafted through detail.
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Art installations: Independent artists created the “Seed Repository”, injecting rare greenery into the winter landscape and providing visual relief.
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Custom furniture: Developed in-house, playful yet refined pieces enhance the identity of the space.
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Materials and finishes: Attention to texture and tone reinforces warmth and uniqueness.
This attention to detail ensures Cang 41 avoids the trap of being a fleeting trend, instead positioning itself as a sustainable cultural hub for both locals and tourists.
A New Business Model for Ski Towns
Cang 41 demonstrates how architecture and branding can combine to redefine leisure in ski destinations. By offering a hybrid café and bar within an immersive design, the project attracts diverse visitors and ensures year-round relevance.
Already popular in Chongli, the brand is planning expansion with new stores in development, signaling its ambition to grow from a niche ski-town venue into a recognizable cultural network.
A Sanctuary for the Ski Community
Ultimately, Cang 41 is more than a café or bar. It is a sanctuary for skiers and design enthusiasts alike, an “ideal refuge” where architecture, branding, and leisure converge.
Through its bold storefront, carefully planned interiors, and commitment to detail, JUMGO Creative has crafted a space that anchors Chongli’s emerging identity as China’s ski capital.
