Blue Bottle Espresso Myeongdong / Teo Yang Studio

Blue Bottle Espresso Myeongdong / Teo Yang Studio

Textual content description supplied by the architects. Positioned inside Seoul’s bustling business avenue, Blue Bottle Espresso Myeongdong initiates a dialogue between town’s wealthy heritage and fashionable Korean tradition by way of a narrative-driven method. Passerbys are greeted by a gleaming white, excessive slender facade that subtly glows Blue Bottle’s iconic brand silhouette—strikingly contrasting with its busy environment. We needed to create a easy and unified exterior that speaks the spatial philosophy of ‘Jakyung’ by taking a metaphor from the heritage of Korean conventional structure ‘Hanok.’ Individuals are guided into the house by way of the home nameplate (Hyeonpan) and entrance gate that regularly leads individuals into the house itself. To reinterpret the story of custom, we prolonged the thought of the ‘Hyeonpan’ by establishing a visible information by way of the glowing sq. brand window.

The ‘Blue Home’ is a self-standing construction with openings on its sides that resemble the doorways and home windows of a conventional Korean house. Cladded in {custom} steel panels, the construction subtly displays its environment whereas illuminating a delicate bluish hue on the stainless-steel cladding ceiling and ground. 

Upon entrance, guests are invited to stroll by way of the ‘Blue Home.‘ The espresso preparation bar is housed throughout the construction, cladded in stainless-steel to create a timeless but new impression of Blue Bottle Espresso—immersing visitors within the delicate strategy of crafting espresso. Close to the doorway of the ‘Blue Home,’ the merchandise shelf’s easy geometry resembles a recent sculpture, successfully highlighting the curated number of Blue Bottle merchandise.

Passing by way of the service & merchandise space, the sub-ceiling of the ‘Blue Home’ is product of custom-finished aluminum grating panels to filter off the tough direct lights from the principle ceiling, whereas including visible depth to the house by way of the delicate shadows and reflections as an entire. On the finish of the hall, guests are supplied an inside have a look at the {custom} brand signage-making course of by artisans Deok-Ho Kim & In-Hwa Lee. Visitors are supplied a visualization to raised recognize the craft of ceramics whereas ready for his or her order. This expertise is made tangible because the {custom} signage meets individuals upon exit. Including a considerate and emotive high quality of craft, the clean floor and hand-touch of the emblem leaves visitors with an inventive and private impression of Blue Bottle Espresso Myeongdong.

The linear move of this retailer ensures guests stroll by way of the construction simply & effectively, essential for this compact grab-and-go typology. A easy circulation was designed in consideration of the small house to stop congestion inside. From the facade to the exit, each side of the shop is designed to correspond with the bustling context of Myeongdong. To beat the restricted house, we needed to altogether create a soothing atmosphere by way of using easy architectural shapes and concise supplies. As one holds a cup of espresso inside Blue Bottle Espresso Myeongdong, we hope to supply individuals a second to pause and relaxation in a refreshing, memorable atmosphere.

How have the rules of ‘Jakyung’ and ‘Chakyung’ been applied all through the designs? Jakyung (oneself turning into the surroundings) was a quite common factor up to now after we had extra abundance of house to benefit from the structure. Comparable to when you’re within the countryside and as you method a home, the home itself turns into an object of viewing and admiration providing you with the pleasure of strolling in direction of it. Not the commonest discover within the metropolis of Seoul full of high-rise buildings standing very shut to 1 one other. Reasonably than utilizing the glass facade as a present window to show merchandise, we needed to create a small blue construction to create curiosity and in addition to develop a particular approach of assembly our guests. Chakyung means borrowing the skin view to intensify the inside house. We needed to make use of the easy construction of the Blue Home to border and seize many alternative moments within the retailer. By means of the framing impact of the Blue Home the busy view of town, the fragile coffee-making course of by the baristas, and in addition individuals patiently ordering and ready for his or her espresso will develop into sceneries that makes the shop extra particular and interesting.

Why select to work with Deok-Ho Kin and In-Hwa Lee on the nameplate? Deok-Ho Kim and In-Hwa Lee have been researching and finding out Joseon Dynasty’s conventional White Porcelain method for a very long time. Actually understanding the easy and serene fantastic thing about Joseon Dynasty’s craft and never simply borrowing the aesthetic of the outdated phrase makes their work stand out. Their endeavor in direction of tutorial method, cultural underrating and admiration in direction of simplicity made me really feel they’re the correct individuals to collaborate with Blue Bottle Espresso’s undertaking. Additionally, they lately had an exhibition devoted to Blue, experimentation of including varied hues of blue to the white ceramic, which makes them much more of an ideal match for the undertaking.

The nameplate of the home held a really particular that means up to now Korean custom, it was a correct and formal gesture to have a well-made nameplate and the standard of the nameplate usually showcased the style degree of the owner. We needed to carry again the custom of getting a well-made nameplate on the facade of the shop. This blue nameplate is crafted by native artisans utilizing native conventional strategies and shall be an important instrument to convey how a lot Blue Bottle Espresso respects and honors native tradition and custom.