Lost in Wonderland

Kenneth Cobonpue is pushing the boundaries of design with Fable Café + Lounge in BGC, immersing guests in an otherworldly rainforest adventure

- Celine Dabao

When one imagines a café, the image that comes to mind might be a cosy space with brick walls and warm wooden ceilings. Such spaces seek to be an extension of one’s home—a spot to work on a laptop or take a coffee break with friends. But industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue is ready to push the boundaries of café design. Renowned for his artisanal rattan furniture that elevates Filipino craftsmanship onto the global stage, Cobonpue has an impressive clientele that includes Queen Sofia of Spain and Angelina Jolie, among others.

Located on the ground floor of Grand Hyatt Manila Residences in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) is Cobonpue’s newest creation, Fable Café + Lounge. Departing from the traditional café setup, Fable invites guests to venture into an otherworldly adventure where elements of childhood tales merge with flora and fauna.

It was originally designed to be a café for showroom clients who want to explore how Cobonpue’s creations would fit seamlessly into their own spaces. “The more I started to think about it, the more I wanted it to take on a life of its own,” shares Cobonpue. “I wanted to transport people to another world.” From the moment one arrives, one is drawn into the mystery of a rainforest jungle. Handmade, forest green paper drapes the entryway, shielding it from the outside world.