Coffeebar
Walker Warner Architects and NICOLEHOLLIS have collaborated to design Coffeebar, a contemporary cafe in the heart of Menlo Park, California.
The design teams collaborated with Coffeebar founder Greg Buchheister to reimagine a building that was once a nail salon and an Asian food market into a curated, modern café that would draw in commuters and residents alike. The exterior was transformed from a simple commodity building to a bespoke retail destination.
A simple material palette of steel, cypress, and glass creates a contemporary ambiance while offering durability in a heavy traffic environment. Elliptically-shaped, exterior wooden louvers float in front of the oversized glass windows and doors to provide sun protection and soft natural light into the interior. The steel trim and blackened standing-seam metal panels convey a sophisticated, industrial quality that complements the interiors.
Taking inspiration from Italian coffee bars, the interior features terrazzo countertops and walls. A bicycle chain chandelier, bicycle enamel paint and an alcove partitioned with metal chain curtains pay homage to the biking culture of Silicon Valley. A live-edge walnut communal table, which is accented by striking butterfly joints in teal blue, anchors the space. Banquettes, hightop tables with terrazzo counters, and copper-top café tables edge the interior.
A custom designed retail area supports the front counter with its high customer turnover. Interior details include a copper-paneled water station, copper wall panels with exposed riveting and ash walls. The floor is the original concrete that has been highly polished.
Architecture: Walker Warner Architects
Interior Design: NICOLEHOLLIS
Photography: Laure Joliet
