Coffee giant Starbucks is rolling out mini-stores with maximum local flavor, as part of an international pilot program. Each location will be ~500 sf, created from modular units but clad in materials that reflect the local environment. Façades may incorporate reclaimed lumber, corrugated materials, parts of shipping containers, or other "craftsmanlike" approaches, including illuminated exterior "art panels." The push for smaller and more sustainable stores is part of the company's overall Shared Planet Initiative.
Starbucks' President of Global Development, architect Arthur Rubenfeld, is supervising the roll-out, which reflects the evolution of Starbucks as a destination. The model differs from the "neighborhood coffeehouse" vibe, and is targeted at drive-through and walk-up customers. If successful, the initiative will allow Starbucks to expand into sites that are too small to sustain one of its traditional stores. The company's 14 architectural offices will design the LEED certified units, each of which will be staffed by three to five employees.
The prototype for the effort opened last year in Tukwila, a Seattle suburb, and was created from repurposed shipping containers. Containers were also used for a new store in Northglenn, Colo., clad in reclaimed Wyoming snow fencing.
http://www.fastcodesign.com/1670889/an-experimental-new-starbucks-store-tiny-portable-and-hyper-local#1goo
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Aug 6, 2015
ConsensusDocs releases new CM agency contract standard agreement
For use when owner acts as the construction manager, hires a construction manager, or uses multiple prime contractors
Giants 400 | Aug 5, 2015
GIANTS 300 REPORT: Top 135 Office Sector Architecture Firms
Gensler, HOK, and Perkins+Will top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest office sector architecture and architecture/engineering firms.
Giants 400 | Aug 5, 2015
OFFICE SECTOR GIANTS: Today’s workplace design must appeal to Millennials’ ‘activity-based’ lifestyle
Office market AEC Giants discuss the latest trends workplace design, and the state of the office construction sector.
Giants 400 | Aug 5, 2015
GIANTS 300 REPORT: Top 37 Engineering/Architecture Firms
Jacobs, AECOM, and Thornton Tomasetti head Building Design+Construction's 2015 ranking of the largest engineering/architecture firms in the United States.
Giants 400 | Aug 5, 2015
ENGINEERING GIANTS: Profits, revenue on the rise at U.S. engineering firms as economy sputters back to life
The vast majority of engineering firms are decidedly bullish on revenue growth for 2015, and profitability is nearing a six-year high, according to BD+C's 2015 Giants 300 report.
Giants 400 | Aug 4, 2015
GIANTS 300 REPORT: Top 64 Architecture/Engineering Firms
Stantec, HOK, and Callison RTKL top Building Design+Construction's 2015 ranking of the largest architecture/engineering firms in the United States.
Giants 400 | Aug 4, 2015
GIANTS 300 REPORT: Top 106 Architecture Firms
Gensler, Perkins+Will, and Kohn Pedersen Fox top Building Design+Construction's 2015 ranking of the largest architecture firms in the United States.
Giants 400 | Aug 4, 2015
ARCHITECTURE GIANTS: 21 practice management innovations from architecture Giants
Design firms have gone all out with management innovations in the last year. Check out which ones might work for your firm.
Architects | Aug 4, 2015
Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture closer to independent incorporation
The school is halfway to its first fundraising milestone, but is facing a major deadline at end of this month.
Industrial Facilities | Aug 3, 2015
Architect Jacques Rougerie envisions floating city to function as roving laboratory
The manta ray-shaped vessel will be completely self-sustaining, run on marine energy, and produce no waste.
