% Arabica Egypt Cairo Roastery

The roastery of Kyoto-based coffee shop brand "%ARABICA" has opened its first store at U-Venues, a complex located in the heart of New Cairo, a satellite city of Cairo, the capital of Egypt. Located in North Africa, where the Nile River flows, Egypt is dotted with ancient ruins across its vast desert region. This unique location, where history and culture remain strong while modern urban development is also progressing daily, and inspired by the quarries of the pyramids, a symbol of Egypt, the space was concept design with the element of "stacking."

In order to express the irregular landscape of the quarry throughout the space, modular limestone blocks measuring 800mm square are stacked in a staircase pattern from the roasting room and coffee counter to the seating area, creating random traffic lines and height differences, resulting in a comfortable space with just the right amount of visibility. Additionally, a full-surface luminous membrane symbolically displays the baristas, roasters, and bean bags, while in the seating area, surface illumination is limited to the benches where guests sit, creating a contrasting space. Arabica's original hieroglyphics, modeled after ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, are incorporated as interior elements on the walls of the entrance floor and niche seats, creating a space where traditional elements blend with modern expression.