Interior design plan for the Blue Bottle Coffee Fukuoka Tenjin Cafe. The project site is in a busy city, situated within the precincts of the Kego Shrine. While one side of the cafe faces a busy street, the opposite side opens onto the approach to the shrine, surrounded by contrasting environment of the city. Given this contrasting setting, we naturally envisioned the cafe as a nexus connecting the opposing elements of city and shrine.

Firstly, the creative part of this project is the layout of the cafe is designed to make the most of the unique features of the site. In considering the spatial design for such a place of contrast, we prioritized creating a visual shift from the street to the shrine’s approach. Placing the kitchen at the center of the interior, we centralized functions such as the drink counter and storage around it. This design establishes a symbolic stage reminiscent of Blue Bottle’s identity at the heart of the space, visually connecting the two pathways around the cafe.

One of the innovative point is utilizing the uniqueness of the location where the café is located. We utilized a Japanese consciousness control in the spatial design to make use of locational uniqueness. Specifically, we used the difference in floor level within the store to lower the ceiling height on the shrine side, in order to creating a traditional Japanese tea room calming atmosphere, while also controlling the amount of light entering the store. Also, we are intent on creating a space where people can experience this physically, with on the street side with standing area and on the shrine side with sofa spaces.

The material on the approach side is walnut, wood is often used in shrine architecture, but was deliberately chosen as a contemporary timber species in order to harmonise with the era. Also, the core is also made of Extruded cement panels commonly used on building exteriors to enhance the contemporary atmosphere. These elements were used to create a space that respects both the shrine's traditional elements and the café's modern individuality.

Finally, the sustainability of the project is related to its location context. Due to the postwar situation and the shrine enshrinement decree, the number of present shrines in Japan has greatly reduced. Additionally, the drastic decrease in visitors poses a threat to their survival. However, the existence of shrines is left entirely to the priests of each shrines, and there is no concrete solution. Kego Shrine plans to enhance the value of their site by opening a branch of the international BLUE BOTTLE COFFEE, in order to attract customers and break the current situation. We hope that many people will visit here for various purposes and experience the culture, which will help to enhance the cultural value of Japan.