Starbucks Reserve (R) Roastery Tokyo

Starbucks Reserve® Roastery Tokyo, which incorporates coffee bean roasting facilities, has opened along the Meguro River in Nakameguro, Tokyo. This is the first Starbucks Reserve® Roastery in Japan and the fifth in the world, and each of the four floors offers a different experience. Located in a vibrant and creative area, the captivating concept design is inspired by the famous cherry blossom trees that bloom along the Meguro River. Aiming to blend with the natural concept design of various regions of Japan, the space features expansive glass surfaces extending to the ceiling and a terrace seating area with the warmth of wood. In the center of the store, a four-story atrium houses a 17-meter-tall cask for storing coffee beans, covered with 121 hand-hammered copper plates. Pipes for transporting coffee beans crisscross the store from the cask. The main bar on the first floor offers coffee brewed using various methods, and the authentic artisan bread from Princi®, an Italian bakery making its debut in Japan, is another highlight. In the area where the large roasting machine is located, you can enjoy communicating with baristas and roasters across the counter. On the second floor, the "Teavana Bar" offers a unique tea experience, allowing you to explore the traditions of Japanese tea, while on the third floor, the "Arriviamo Bar," making its debut in Japan, immerses you in the world of mixology and craft cocktails. Furthermore, the "AMU Inspiration Lounge" on the top floor (4th floor) serves as a place for casual discussions about social issues, a hub for local community outreach, and a coffee training facility.

Roastery Tokyo is the first Starbucks roastery to be built from scratch with a local architect.

[Customer issues/themes]

Emphasis is placed on a "glocal" concept design and construction that is in harmony with the local community, creating a space where people can enjoy exploring and experiencing coffee in a fusion of Japanese nature and tradition with modern concept design. Based on a concept where the roasting factory and seating area coexist, the design required a dynamic and entertaining composition incorporating the roastery's symbol, the "cask," and the bean pumping pipes, while also skillfully combining it with delicate and understated Japanese materials.

【solution】

The cask is adorned with cherry blossom petal motifs inspired by the cherry trees lining the Meguro River. The cask itself is designed with a pattern that draws the eye upwards, as if steam is rising from a cup of coffee. Furthermore, traditional Japanese craftsmanship and material processing techniques are incorporated throughout interiors and furniture, while adding a modern touch, elevating them into a new concept design, such as the copper cask and the origami-motif ceiling. concept design was to create a space that would surprise and inspire visitors, allowing them to become engrossed in the coffee experience.

【customer's voice】

Stepping inside, you are greeted by an overwhelming space. The fusion of Japanese nature and tradition with modern concept design, and the meticulous attention to detail in every aspect, contribute to an immersive experience that has garnered positive feedback from customers. Beyond the coffee and tea products, the overall atmosphere of the building, evoking surprises and excitement, is a major part of the Roastery Tokyo experience.

<Our project members>

[interiors schematic design cooperation, artwork concept design] Eiji Kawasaki, Mai Takahashi

[working drawings] Kyoko Aikawa, Yo Yamamoto, Yuki Yamaguchi, Junya Hagiwara

[Production construction] Ryohei Azechi, Jun Endo, Osamu Kojima

[Project management, sales] Seiji Yamaguchi, Yukako Ninomiya