In the heart of Bangkok’s Rama 9 district, Ember Cafe & Wine offers a blend of culinary craft and architectural innovation. Drawing from the sculptural forms of Antelope Canyon, this one-story structure reimagines natural formations through digitally manufactured design — realized with SCG’s advanced 3D printing mortar.

Located at Rama 9 Soi 43, the space invites visitors into an atmosphere shaped by geological inspiration and precision construction. Its organic curves and textured surfaces are not ornamental—they form the core of the building’s structural identity. Using SCG’s 3D printed mortar system, Ember achieves a level of architectural expression difficult to replicate with conventional methods.

3D Printing Brings Organic Form to Architecture

The exterior of Ember Cafe & Wine features intentionally designed curves and graceful forms that enhance its visual appeal, drawing inspiration from natural landscapes. These curves were enabled by SCG’s advanced 3D printing technology with mortar-based materials, allowing seamless curves and freeform geometries to be prefabricated off-site and assembled with efficiency.

The building’s burnt-orange finish echoes desert terrain, while the undulating façade provides both visual impact and thermal performance. Inside, light enters through curvilinear skylights, casting shifting shadows across the walls as the day progresses—reinforcing the café’s connection to natural landscapes.

SCG’s mortar-based 3D printing technology not only allows for this freedom of form but also improves construction timelines and sustainability metrics. According to SCG, the method reduced construction time by 30%, while cutting material waste by 70% and lowering CO₂ emissions by approximately 1,000 kilograms.

Design Detail Meets Function

The interior continues the building’s design language. Gently sloped walls and textured finishes establish a visual rhythm, drawing attention upward toward the natural light. These elements were not achieved through subtractive carving or manual shaping—they were printed with precision into the very structure.

Throughout the space, design serves both aesthetic and functional roles. The café’s wine cellar, for instance, integrates 3D printed walls that help regulate internal temperature. These thermal properties support the room’s climate control, keeping it 3–5°C cooler than the surrounding area and ensuring wines are stored between 15–18°C—critical for preserving aroma and flavor integrity.

A Concept Grounded in Culinary Craft

Behind Ember Cafe & Wine are co-founders Calvin Fong and his partner, whose vision stems from a deep connection to culinary creativity. Their approach draws on Western cooking traditions, paired with a refined understanding of wine and ingredient transformation. “Our menu is an artistic expression, where fire is the medium,” Fong explains. “Just like the volcanic landscapes that inspired the café’s design, each dish is an experience in flavor—carefully composed and elevated through flame.”

This attention to detail extends beyond the plate. The café also functions as a class studio and gathering space for food and design enthusiasts, regularly hosting wine tastings, chef-led sessions, and curated events.

A Platform for Experimental and Sustainable Design

The integration of SCG’s 3D printing mortar allows Ember to serve not just as a hospitality space, but as a proof of concept. The project demonstrates how 3D printed mortar construction can enable organic designs, reduce labor intensity, and align architectural goals with sustainability targets.

From early design to final assembly, every element at Ember reflects a deliberate balance between creativity and functionality. By relying on digitally driven construction, the project illustrates what’s possible when long-term material development and research dedicated to making this possible.

For developers and architects interested in exploring nature-inspired geometry, sustainable processes, and efficient material use, SCG’s 3D printing solutions offer flexible possibilities for design and construction. To learn more about how SCG’s mortar-based 3D printing can support your next project, contact pattarut@scg.com.

SCG, ASEAN’s leading cement manufacturer, today co-hosts INTERCEM Asia 2025, an event of the world’s leading cement industry conference and exhibition series. Running from 6 to 8 May 2025 in Bangkok, the conference brings together key cement industry stakeholders from around the globe. As co-host, SCG is set to drive the industry’s low-carbon cement innovation and demonstrate its vision and capability as a regional leader in innovative building materials and sustainable solutions, while highlighting Thailand’s strategic position in Asia’s cement industry.

As part of INTERCEM series of the world’s premier events for cement industry professionals, INTERCEM Asia 2025 provides participants with deep insights into global cement industry trends and directions, including emerging innovations, technologies, and new approaches for the industry’s transformation. With Thailand as the host country this year, the conference puts Thailand’s cement industry in the spotlight and marks a significant milestone in SCG’s “Inclusive Green Growth” mission, presenting its strategic perspectives on the industry’s transition towards sustainable business models and low-carbon cement innovation in response to increasingly stringent global environmental regulations.

INTERCEM Asia 2025 is the platform for global cement industry to discuss its urgent need to transform. The cement industry currently accounts for 7-8% of global CO2 emissions. Manufacturers worldwide face mounting pressure to address environmental challenges, particularly with new regulatory measures such as the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and Carbon Tax. These regulations will significantly impact competitiveness and production costs for cement manufacturers in Thailand and ASEAN, as well as their global export opportunities.

Amid these challenges, SCG has consistently invested in low-carbon cement innovation, establishing itself as a regional leader through strategic preparation in research and development, production technology, and marketing opportunities. At INTERCEM Asia 2025, SCG will showcase its groundbreaking first-to-market innovations :

Thailand’s pioneering low-carbon cement, developed through SCG’s proprietary knowledge, reduces CO₂ emissions by 38% compared to conventional products while maintaining superior strength and versatility. The company aims to achieve 50% reduction in the near future, setting new standards for the ASEAN cement industry.

Thailand’s pioneering low-carbon cement, developed through SCG’s proprietary knowledge, reduces CO₂ emissions by 38% compared to conventional products while maintaining superior strength and versatility. The company aims to achieve 50% reduction in the near future, setting new standards for the ASEAN cement industry.

An innovative diesel-powered cement spraying and plastering machine that increases wall plastering speed by 40% while optimizing material usage, addressing skilled labor shortages and elevating Thailand’s construction standards.

Comprehensive end-to-end supply chain solutions helping partners reduce carbon footprint and enhance competitiveness, covering raw material procurement through final delivery.

Beyond product innovation, SCG has made significant investments in environmentally friendly production processes, including :

SCG foresees that transitioning to low-carbon cement is not merely about adaptation for survival, but a strategic opportunity to enhance long-term competitiveness of the cement industry in Thailand, ASEAN, and globally. For Thailand, this will also be the opportunity to achieve global leadership in sustainable cement production and construction.

With such a strong global environmental preservation focus, organizations, large and small, are prioritizing sustainability as part of their business development. One of the most effective sustainability solutions is solar cell utilization in offices and factories.

Each business’s actions towards sustainability matters, especially EPC (Engineering, Procurement & Construction) businesses, which are the main provider of solar systems. If you’re purchasing solar systems for your business, there are a few things you should consider.