SIP CAFÉ & COFFEE BAR NORTHAMPTON, MA
KUHN RIDDLE ARCHITECTS www.kuhnriddle.com
RESTROOM
RETAIL SHELVES KITCHEN
ORDER POUROVER
ESPRESSO
MILK & SUGAR FIREPLACE
WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS AIA DESIGN AWARDS
The space is a new concept for a coffee shop in downtown Northampton, MA. The customer experience is thoughtfully orchestrated through clean design, well thought-out circulation within a small space, and attention to detail.
Project Type: Commercial Renovation 960 SF Cafe Northampton, Massachusetts This is an original design solution. The project makes innovative use of standard building materials. Birch Veneer Plywood is used throughout, and both the veneer and the layered section are celebrated. Finishes & furnishings were designed to be built from standard sheets with minimal or no waste. Energy Efficient LED Lighting is used throughout. Construction Budget: $95,000 Cost/SF: $98 (not including furnishings) Completed: Summer 2011
SIP encourages the customer to watch the brewing process: seats at the counter allow for interaction with the barista, as well as a view of the fireplace. The coffee is made via a “slow” brewing process in which hot water is poured over freshly ground beans. The process is fun to watch and the coffee is beautifully presented.
Circulation—a well thought out path through the small space
From the street, green painted steps and slatted signage call your attention and invite you in.
AFTER
A small space opens up.
BEFORE
AFTER The old becomes new, yet the history of the building not only remains intact, but is emphasized by the new design. The furniture and lighting were chosen to compliment the aesthetic and design concepts. The lighting fixtures are made with strips of plywood that filter the light, simple bent metal legs and brackets support plywood tabletops, and the cafĂŠ chairs and stools bridge the gap between historic and modern.
BEFORE
Flooded with light, the cafĂŠ feels bright, fresh and open. The graphic Birch wallpaper provides a beautiful backdrop and playfully references the use of Birch plywood throughout the space. The modern aesthetic of the new enhances the old and brings it back to life. Sit on a cube by the fireplace; grab a stool at the counter to chat with the barista; congregate with friends around a bar-height table; slide into the banquette and lose yourself in the trees.
The existing building was the original Smith College Cooperative Bookstore, and its long history is reflected in the leaded glass windows and the functional wood burning fireplace.
Materials were used creatively and efficiently. The layers of plywood are exposed and the design showcases its strength and flexibility.
Simple details and beautiful craftsmanship carry the design concepts through: The old becomes new and fresh, but is still recognizable. Light carries through the space, filtered as gracefully as the coffee. Inexpensive, standard materials such as plywood become special when their inherent characteristics are celebrated.
ALL PHOTOGRAPHS BY CHATTMAN PHOTOGRAPHY