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Collection by Diana Budds

Coffee Break: Sightglass 20th Street, San Francisco

Sightglass Coffee's 20th street outpost is an archetypal San Francisco cafe—a space built to reflect the same values as the coffee sold within. The interior, masterminded by local firm Boor Bridges Architecture, showcases a wealth of handcrafted details and an industrial sensibility that pays homage to the original character of the space. Firm principal Seth Boor and architect Anand Sheth take us on a guided tour.

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Boor Bridges Architecture has become a go-to design firm for third-wave coffee establishments in San Francisco. In addition to Sightglass 20th Street, it counts The Mill, Four Barrel Coffee, and Sightglass's first location in SOMA in its portfolio of cafes and shows no signs of slowing down. "The third wave coffee trend has allowed us to explore many of our design interests, including crafted and intricate custom details and lighting, honest and exposed materiality, adaptive reuse of existing industrial spaces, and the merging of manufacturing and retail functions in one space," Boor says. Working with general contractor Kevin Smith of SmithBuilt and a talented group of metal workers, furniture craftsmen, lighting specialists, and more, Boor Bridges created an inviting space that includes a full-production roaster, espresso bar, pour-over station, and retail.
Boor Bridges Architecture has become a go-to design firm for third-wave coffee establishments in San Francisco. In addition to Sightglass 20th Street, it counts The Mill, Four Barrel Coffee, and Sightglass's first location in SOMA in its portfolio of cafes and shows no signs of slowing down. "The third wave coffee trend has allowed us to explore many of our design interests, including crafted and intricate custom details and lighting, honest and exposed materiality, adaptive reuse of existing industrial spaces, and the merging of manufacturing and retail functions in one space," Boor says. Working with general contractor Kevin Smith of SmithBuilt and a talented group of metal workers, furniture craftsmen, lighting specialists, and more, Boor Bridges created an inviting space that includes a full-production roaster, espresso bar, pour-over station, and retail.
Sightglass Coffee in San Francisco serves up a compelling alternative to the daily at-home ritual.
Sightglass Coffee in San Francisco serves up a compelling alternative to the daily at-home ritual.
The banquette is upholstered in leather from B&L Commercial Seating. The fixed tables are proportioned for the food and drink sevred at Sightglass and two of the tables are ADA accessible. "Lingering is encouraged but lengthy stays during peak times are not," Boor says. "This was a request from the client that was accommodated by incorporating a single-sided banquette—great for people watching while you sip your coffee—and flexible stools to allow for varying group sizes." The custom terrarium and plantings above the entrance are by Crooked Nest.
The banquette is upholstered in leather from B&L Commercial Seating. The fixed tables are proportioned for the food and drink sevred at Sightglass and two of the tables are ADA accessible. "Lingering is encouraged but lengthy stays during peak times are not," Boor says. "This was a request from the client that was accommodated by incorporating a single-sided banquette—great for people watching while you sip your coffee—and flexible stools to allow for varying group sizes." The custom terrarium and plantings above the entrance are by Crooked Nest.
The bar counter is Cararra marble and the metalwork is by Hicks Metal.
The bar counter is Cararra marble and the metalwork is by Hicks Metal.
Boor Bridges worked with the owners, brothers Justin and Jerad Morrison, to develop the espresso station and optimize it for workflow. Luigi Oldani fabricated the pastry case, which is oriented so that people can see all of the goods at once instead of having to hunch down. Boor Bridges designed the teak-and-brass wall shelving and it was fabricated by Lucas Ford (wood) and Tommy Hicks (metal).
Boor Bridges worked with the owners, brothers Justin and Jerad Morrison, to develop the espresso station and optimize it for workflow. Luigi Oldani fabricated the pastry case, which is oriented so that people can see all of the goods at once instead of having to hunch down. Boor Bridges designed the teak-and-brass wall shelving and it was fabricated by Lucas Ford (wood) and Tommy Hicks (metal).
Sap wood is joined on a bias, creating a geometric pattern on the ceiling.
Sap wood is joined on a bias, creating a geometric pattern on the ceiling.
Beans by the pound are available for sale. Steve Valdez fabricated the steel, glass, and brass door. "The entry door started with a sketch from us—connecting the patterning of other elements in the space with the entry door details was a main driver, and it really took off in the hands of the fabricator," Sheth says.
Beans by the pound are available for sale. Steve Valdez fabricated the steel, glass, and brass door. "The entry door started with a sketch from us—connecting the patterning of other elements in the space with the entry door details was a main driver, and it really took off in the hands of the fabricator," Sheth says.
The space was originally light manufacturing. Because of the roastery on the ground floor—on a roaster from Probat—and the packaging and wholesale operation on the second story, it still retains that designation.
The space was originally light manufacturing. Because of the roastery on the ground floor—on a roaster from Probat—and the packaging and wholesale operation on the second story, it still retains that designation.
Tommy Hicks fabricated the metal wall sconces and Malder Lighting handled the wiring and UL listing. "The wall sconces relate to the shelf sconces in their simplicity, their exposed wiring, and their materiality," Sheth says.
Tommy Hicks fabricated the metal wall sconces and Malder Lighting handled the wiring and UL listing. "The wall sconces relate to the shelf sconces in their simplicity, their exposed wiring, and their materiality," Sheth says.