Coffee is not just a drink; it is an opportunity for people to reconnect in a space. For this reason, cafes nowadays compete with their architectural designs that define their brand identity and the meaning behind it. For almost everyone around the world, visiting coffee shops and exploring new coffee tastes are integral parts of their daily lives, whether in the cities they live in or when traveling.
Going to cafes has become a form of art; the art of trying new coffee, working, studying, attending meetings, or just chilling in a coworking space beautifully designed by renowned architects is the new work-from-home. With that being said, café brands work hard to attract people by developing strong identities and concepts with the help of architects and interior designers.
In this article, we will explore minimalist and modernist cafés and the meaning behind their brand identity.
%ARABICA
Arabica is a coffee shop founded by Japanese coffee enthusiast Kenneth Shoji, who used to travel the world with his father, who used to go on business trips every year. Kenneth developed a deep connection with multiculturalism, design, architecture, and coffee. He believed in seeing the world through coffee, which is the brand concept of his coffee shop and the reason he spread the brand worldwide with over 150 stores across 20 countries. Other than %Arabica’s custom-designed espresso machines, the store design sets it apart from other coffee shops.
Aligning well with Mies Van Der Rohe’s famous saying, “Less is More”, Arabica’s design is known for its minimalist and modernist design approaches, which are known to attract people. Because Kenneth enjoyed witnessing the coffee-making process, he ensured his brand would be minimal by allowing visitors to see their coffee being brewed and made to perfection. Minimalist coffee shop designs emphasize simplicity, clean lines, neutral colors, and detail, which makes it comforting.
Orijins Coffee Shop
Designed by the Dubai-based interior design company VSHD Design, Orijins Coffee Shop in the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC) features a minimalistic and biophilic approach. The design is deeply inspired by natural materials and the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, which embraces the beauty of imperfection. The interior features a neutral color palette with shades of sand, stone, and wood, creating a serene and calming atmosphere. The ceiling symbolizes the ripples found in the sand which adds to the organic feel of the café.
The walls and furniture were carefully selected to reflect the simplicity of the natural world. Earthy tones, organic shapes, and a blend of materials like marble, metal, and textured textiles are used throughout. The coffee bar, made of marble blocks, stands out, adding a raw yet refined touch to the space.
Everything in this coffee shop brings one back to the past while using contemporary approaches, which is what attracts customers. The café’s simplicity in form allows one to appreciate the richness of the materials used.
The House Café
This is a project belonging to an Emirati barista and coffee enthusiast, Mansoor Al Omani. The coffee shop is designed by a Dubai-based interior design firm, C’est Ici, which managed to bring Mansoor’s vision to life with a sophisticated contrast in style and material, creating a coffee studio where people can enjoy the art of coffee-making.
The interior blends classic and rustic styles with brutalist and organic concepts. The café has an earthy and warm atmosphere, focusing on natural materials and textures. Furniture pieces include wooden tables and chairs, plush seating with soft fabrics, and metal accents. The lighting is soft, contributing to the tranquil ambiance and comfortable environment.
2050 Coffee Shop
The 2050 Coffeeshop is designed by TEKI Design Studio in Kyoto, Japan. The coffee shop is inspired by a concept of the 2050 coffee scarcity problem, where climate change will severely affect the availability of coffee. The design of the cafe invites visitors to be involved with the baristas in the coffee-making journey, making them both enjoy the process and create a dynamic environment. The coffee shop’s identity is derived from the idea that each small individual action makes a difference in the bigger picture. This reflects the idea that collective small efforts can solve future challenges in coffee culture.
In traditional coffee shop designs, there is always a clear barrier between the customer, staff, and producer (the people who grow/supply coffee). In the 2050 café, the role of every person inside is more fluid, with more interactions between all parties involved in the coffee-making, drinking, and producing process, where makers can learn the origins of coffee from the producers, and drinkers can learn how coffee is made from scratch. This idea is reflected in the design of the shop where each function is treated as a dot that creates an entire plot. These dots come together to form an overall “outline” or identity of the shop, but the exact shape can change depending on how these dots (functions) are arranged or interact with each other.
PAGA Microroastery
Very minimal in concept and design, its white and glass façade allows the coffee shop’s feel to change throughout the day depending on the sunlight, interacting with the environment. The design is inspired by the origins of coffee and the rugged landscapes and mountains where coffee is usually grown.
The coffee shop was designed by an architecture firm called Taste Space, which took inspiration for the design from the mountains where coffee is grown, picked, and dried under the sun to develop its taste. These are sustainable practices that help grow coffee without harming the environment.
After the coffee-producing process is complete, baristas come into play to create the coffee-drinking experience uniquely. The design of PAGA Micro Roastery pays tribute to this journey. It is a three-story coffee shop situated in a bustling neighborhood that attracts people to enter it enjoy peacefulness and learn about coffee. Upon entrance, there is a large mountain stone that symbolizes the story of PAGA and its connection to the mountains, where coffee originally comes from.
Ogawa Coffee Laboratory
A traditional Japanese coffeehouse with history dating back to 1952 after the war in Kyoto. It was designed by Japanese-based Architects, Yusuke Seki Studio, who used a blend of traditional Japanese materials like wood and washi paper, which is a Japanese paper processed by hand from the gampi tree. Integrated with modern materials like glass and concrete, the wood and washi paper gave architectural meaning to the coffeehouse, creating a tranquil and harmonious atmosphere.
Other branches of this coffee shop focus on coffee education, making the design more minimal and simpler. Over 40 coffee tools are available for purchase, and a setting is dedicated to coffee masterclass. This design choice emphasizes functionality and learning, providing an ideal environment for coffee enthusiasts to deepen their knowledge without distractions.
Desa Kitsune
Following Bali’s theme of “relax, dine, and celebrate,” Desa Kitsune is designed as a mini village and getaway oasis where people can come to enjoy a cup of coffee from Kitsune’s menu and be in the moment with their loved ones, right in the heart of Bali.
The café’s design is inspired by the city’s serene nature, using natural materials. The 5,000-square-meter café was designed by an architecture firm called Habitat 5, which reflected the laid-back spirit of Bali in the design by incorporating natural and Balinese materials like wood, stone, and rattan, adding warmth to the open-air space. The architecture of the café is attractive due to its distinctive shape, inviting patrons to experience a modern space yet embracing Bali’s warmth. It is a blend of contemporary design and bold geometric forms.
Graffiti Cafe
In the 2012 Restaurant and Bar Design Awards, Studio MODE won for its innovative and exceptional design of Graffiti Cafe. Located in Bulgaria, the coffee shop’s identity is found in its monochromatic use of color, undulating walls, and dynamic ceiling. The curves and geometry of the cafe are designed to stand out. As a result, there is not much color in the interior. However, in addition to the urban landscape, part of the cafe’s interior flooring consists of sidewalk pavers that are similar to the outdoor environment. Additionally, the material used in the cafe ceiling complements the building’s facade, bridging the gap between the indoor and out.
Another cool design aspect of the cafe is the idea of embracing the area’s technical details and incorporating them into the design. Instead of hiding the lighting and ventilation systems, they are prominently visible and mounted on the ceiling, supported by linear plywood slats painted black. These slats create a visually interesting effect and contribute to the architectural style of the space.
The Caffe
In Italy, espresso is an experience, much like going to a bar, ordering, waiting, drinking, and, in some cases, conversing with passersby. Coffee in Italian culture, or the “espresso culture,” is the art of going to a coffee shop and having a “pausa,” which basically means a momentous pause, while indulging in your coffee and understanding the whole coffee-making process.
The design of the coffeeshop is inspired by the Italian espresso culture where traditional materials are used but with a modern twist. Reflecting on Italy’s culture, the space features a minimalist aesthetic with warm wood tones, terrazzo countertops, and custom light fixtures. The design emphasizes the craftsmanship of the art of making espresso, with the layout design focusing on the coffee bar and the barista’s work area. The intention is to allow people to be immersed in the espresso experience and enjoy a moment of “pausa.”
Nocenco Cafe
A café in Vietnam designed by VTN Architects is known for its innovative use of bamboo in its walls and ceilings, creating a distinctive structure and an immersive architectural experience for visitors. The architects studied various local materials such as wood and stone; however, bamboo was the best option due to its availability and suitability for the design.
Bamboo provides both aesthetics, as it evokes a sense of being amidst nature and functionality, thanks to its natural ventilation properties. The café’s rooftop offers a panoramic view of post-war Vietnam, allowing visitors to enjoy the experience and reflect. Situated on the top floors of an old building, bamboo was the perfect material, being practical, easy to lift, and enabling the creation of a dynamic modern design using traditional elements.
The world of coffee and its enthusiasts offers a myriad of possibilities in architecture and design. Today, beyond just drinking coffee, coffee shops serve various purposes—some focus on coffee education, others provide co-working spaces, and some combine everything into one experience.
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