JAPANESE DESIGNER KENGO KUMA'S MATRIX OF WOOD PLANKS RESULTS IN AN ULTRA-COOL NEW STARBUCKS IN DAZAIFU, JAPAN

Kengo Kuma's ultra-cool new Japanese Starbucks located in Dazaifu, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan (Click Image To Enlarge)

Starbucks recently commissioned starchitect Kengo Kuma to design an outpost in Dazaifu, a small city in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture, that, with walls covered in a matrix of wood planks, is a striking departure from the company’s typical uninspired (if familiarly friendly) interiors filled with tacky pendant lighting and faux-wood finishes.

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And that’s the point. Starbucks shares a history with a host of other American companies that have plunked its cookie-cutter stores into countries around the world. But the coffee empire is now becoming more sensitive to cultural differences--and designing its branches to reflect regional tastes. Earlier this year, it opened an experimental shop in Amsterdam, a showcase of slow-brew coffee, local craftsmanship, and eco-friendly furnishings. And according to The New York Times, Starbucks is investing millions in making over hundreds of its stores in France to appeal to coffee aficionados who favor the personalized atmosphere of cafés.

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Kuma’s interior for the Starbucks in Dazaifu is a pearl in a growing strand of customized spaces--one that is an outgrowth of the architect’s fondness for natural materials. More than 2,000 wooden batons line the 2,260-square-foot shop, creating a loosely woven lattice that extends beyond the storefront’s edge. A few signs, nestled into the wooden structure, are the only outward indicators of the brand. 

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According to Kengo Kuma and Associates, the design is meant to blend with the other buildings along the road to Dazaifu Tenmangu, Fukuoka’s most famous shrine, dedicated to the god of learning. “Along the main path to the shrine, there are traditional Japanese buildings in one or two stories,” the firm’s press release states. “The project aimed to make a structure that harmonizes with such townscape, using a unique system of weaving thin woods.” And yet with such a strong sculptural focal point, one can hardly imagine it blending in.

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COMMENTARY:   Kengo Kuma's use of natural wood in a beautiful and intricate matrix of wooden planks is an artform that is so very Japanese.  It's almost as if you were inside a giant wooden basket or tornado pattern looked sideways.  It definitely gives this Japanese Starbucks artsy class, something you just don't find in any Starbucks here in the U.S.    In a blog post dated March 8, 2012, I covered Starbucks new store in Amsterdam.  That store made liberal use of natural woods throughout the store. The ceiling was absolutely beautiful.  When is Starbucks going to start doing the same thing here in the U.S.?

Courtesy of an article dated April 9, 2012 apparing in Fast Company Design

http://www.fastcodesign.com/1669480/an-ultra-cool-japanese-starbucks-leaves-the-seattle-vibe-far-behind

Comments

[Quick watch repair]

Amazing how simple it can be to communicate with people and have them understand a certain topic,you made my day.

[cable raceway]

Yeah!! It is very beautiful although for me it is really complex to watch and observe but it really caught my eye....... Customer will definitely come there often to see the designs.... :-0

[AC Service Arlington]

Thanks for sharing, it really very nice wood designing. I would like it

[Tommy]

Yes the wooden planks design for that Japanese Starbucks is very beautiful. I have a feeling that stringent building and fire codes would not allow something similar here in the u.s. Thanks for your comment. Hope you continue to visit my blog regularly. Tommy

[Plankegulve ASK]

Wow! This is really great. It is the first time I saw a wood design as beautiful as this. Thank you so much for sharing this. I was so impressed indeed.