There are many types of Starbucks people, for example, you have the stereotype reporter/writer type spending all his day inside typing away at his mac, the young kids that probably skipped school and spend their day there splitting a muffin, the businessman/woman type that is always in a hurry and is always there at the same time ordering the same coffee speaking to the same person on their new phone,and we have the worst type which is people like me, who love the coffee but say they hate it, and usually just jump in ask for a cappuccino and leave.
So, we have various Starbucks People, why not various Starbucks Coffee shops? Well Kengo Kuma and Associates have answered this question and we like the answer. This particular Starbucks is located in Tokyo on a street that leads straight to a holy shrine called Dazaifu Tenmagu. Therefore this particular coffee shop had to be designed in a way that the companies identity was not altered but also had to respect the sanctity of the grounds. Kengo maintained that balance using beautifully arranged wooden blocks that run throughout the length of the structure creating a dynamic 3d sculpture.
I'm sure we all wish Starbucks was like this everywhere, but for the time being suck it up, at least the coffee is the same.
Architects: Kengo Kuma & Associates
Location: Dazaifu, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan
Client: Manten Corporation
Structure: Jun Sato Structural Engineering
Facility Design: Tosai Corporation, Kyu-den Ko Corporation
Construction: Matsumoto-gumi Corporation
Built Area: 212.98 sqm
Photographs: Masao Nishikawa
