The Design of STARBUCKS RESERVE® ROASTERY TOKYO
Quality craftsmanship and a respect for Japanese culture combine to form this special space.
These videos introduce some of the people who created and built the Starbucks Reserve® Roastery Tokyo,
and the philosophy behind its design, architecture, and aesthetics.
From among Starbucks’ five roasteries around the world, Starbucks Reserve® Roastery Tokyo is the first to be both designed and built from scratch. In this video, leading Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, who worked on the exterior design, speaks about some of the building’s features and highlights.
This magnificent copper cask, which soars all the way up to the fourth floor of the building, is a tribute to Japan, and more specifically the cherry blossom trees which line the banks of the Meguro River. Its exterior was handcrafted with exquisite detail, while internally it features roasting facilities that are fitted vertically up the length, making the cask yet another shining example of craftsmanship and engineering prowess.
A glimpse of our bar counter that encourages interaction with the baristas and carefully curated utensils and serveware. The wooden counter, which incorporates traditional Japanese architectural techniques, was designed to make your coffee drinking experience an even more enjoyable one.
By the stairs up to the second floor, your eye is naturally drawn to the Teacup Wall, designed and brought to life in the image of the Teavana teacup. The completion of the wall, which was hand installed by some of Japan’s leading tile craftsmen, involved a lot of trial and error.
The ceiling, influenced by the Japanese tradition of Origami in which paper is folded to form a variety of different shapes and patterns, brings a sense of peace and tranquility. The almost dance-like interplay of light and dark is stunningly beautiful, while the audio equipment embedded directly within the ceiling itself lend the optimal acoustic experience.
The tables and chairs used on the terrace are made of Japanese cedar harvested from Tokyo trees. The furniture is then manufactured in Yamagata and returned to Tokyo in their final form. Although the timber used for the furniture is completely natural, the beauty of the material is retained through the use of special processing techniques. The furniture is yet another superb example of Japanese craftsmanship.
Two elements intrinsic to the success of the space at Starbucks Reserve® Roastery Tokyo are its graphics and design. From the iconic "clacker board" and the patterned Japanese paper wall, all the way through to the signage, thought and care has been put into each and every visual element.
