Perspective View
Side and Main Counter Seating
Work Area and Main Counter Seating
Lobby Area
Additional Seating Area
Illustration Section 1
Illustrated Section 2
Initial Research Pin-Up
Study Model
PROJECT LOCATION
248-250 East Water St.
1,638 sq. ft.
The Coffee Experience is an Ethiopian inspired coffee shop which merges American and Ethiopian cultural traditions. Ethiopia is the largest distributor of coffee and is the birthplace of coffee plants and culture. A coffee ceremony is an important social ritual equated with respect, friendship, and community.
Located at the heart of Downtown Syracuse, the space functions as a gathering place for residents, students, and passerby. The Coffee Experience combines the historic nature of the site and Ethiopian aesthetics to enhance the experience. Sleek modern design and textiles create a hybrid for appeal and significance to both cultures.
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SITE RELATIONSHIP
The Coffee Experience uses modern elements to present a unique culture to
a modern audience, merging Ethiopian coffee culture with the popularity of American coffee shops. The goal of this project was to use coffee as the activity that brings Syracuse residents together while providing a texturally rich interior environment.
Sweeping floor patterns mimic the ceiling forms, directing users through
the space. Not only is the coffee shop a place of gathering, but it functions as an immersive visual experience.
