Coffee Break: San Francisco's Coffee Bar
When you walk into the Financial District's newest third-wave coffee hot spot, Coffee Bar, it may seem like you're waiting under the arch of a proscenium rather than in line for a piping hot latte. And that's the whole point. This second outpost of Coffee Bar isn't trying to be like its neighborhood original where people spend lazy Sunday afternoons (or camp out all day on their laptops); it's a stage for the process of making an espresso drink. "As the third wave movement grows, we're exploring how this experimentation affects cafe design in a deeper sense," says J. Hulett Jones, a principal at jones | haydu, the architecture firm that designed the space. "We're exploring alternative layouts which highlight the artistry that happens behind the counter." In the slideshow that follows, Jones gives us the run down on his design. All images © Bruce Damonte.
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Great article with accompanying photos of a beautiful space (also the best cup of coffee in the San Francisco Financial District!). Looks great!
Wow--what a gorgeous space! Hope the coffee is as fantastic as the setting.
What a sterile environment. The wood ads warmth but I don't think it can overcome the laboratory atmosphere. The angled ceiling is driving me nuts. Why is it there? Is it only for aesthetics?
I think this is a nice modern atmosphere that goes well with the financial district. This is not quite like the coffee houses of the past where you would go and read a book in a corner and whiff the fresh brew. This has a modern feel with sleek design innovative lighting and high functionality. Whats missing would be a little more seating out front to allow customers to take a few more minutes of a coffee break and get away from the fast pace of the daily grind.
What type face is used on the menu? I love how simple and yet inviting it looks.
Will, the font is called Akzidenz Grotesque. It is an old font, a classic, and what inspired Helvetica.
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