Jakarta, April 18, 2025 – The realization of the Difabis Café in the Kendal Tunnel area is an important symbol in the development of an inclusive and humane city. Located on the connecting line between Sudirman Station and Dukuh Atas MRT, this cafe is present not only as a place to rest and gather, but also as a tangible manifestation of empowering the disabled community in the capital’s public space.
This program was initiated by BAZNAS BAZIS DKI Jakarta, as a social initiative that elevates the role of people with disabilities in the economic sector and public services. Kafe Difabis is designed as a workspace that is friendly, useful, and provides opportunities for people with disabilities to appear active and independent.
In the planning, YPA Architecture Studio was entrusted to develop an architectural design that can answer the needs of function, accessibility, and overall space experience. The main challenge of this project was to create a fully inclusive space within a limited area, while still being able to adapt to the dynamics of the very active pedestrian circulation in the Kendal Tunnel.
YPA sees this project as more than just a commercial facility design. Our main focus was on how to create a space that is not only usable by everyone, but also empowering. The design was geared towards creating a welcoming and open atmosphere, taking into account the movement of wheelchair users, the placement of accessible service points, and an efficient yet aesthetically pleasing interior composition.
Our design approach also considered how the space would be viewed from the outside-given the café’s location on a busy transit line, the façade was directed to remain transparent and visually inviting. We wanted to make this space part of the city’s visual narrative that conveys openness and social collaboration.
The physical construction of the project was realized by Barakaja Construction, who supported the construction process with accuracy and attention to technical details on site. The collaboration between the design and implementation team was close, ensuring that every element designed can stand as expected, both technically and functionally for users.
The inauguration of Kafe Difabis was carried out by the Mayor of Central Jakarta, Arifin, who expressed his support for the presence of public spaces that concretely empower people with disabilities. The presence of this cafe reflects the collaborative spirit between the local government, social institutions, design personnel, and construction executors in shaping a more open and fair city.
From an architectural point of view, Café Difabis is an example of how the design of a small space can have a big social impact. We at YPA Architecture Studio are proud to contribute to a project that has such a strong meaning to city life, and to be part of a broader movement of inclusion in urban spaces.
With all its limitations, this project provides an important lesson for us-that architectural design is not just about form or aesthetics, but about the courage to build spaces that accommodate all humans equally. Kafe Difabis now exists as a vibrant, welcoming, and hopeful public space, and a reminder that cities can be built from the most basic human values.
