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% Arabica Riyadh Roastery

for ASIAMIX
May.2022 / Riyadh

The plan for the second %ARABICA store in Saudi Arabia was to renovate a 900 warehouse and install a huge custom-built roasting machine.  While taking advantage of this vast space, we planned a theater-like store as a space to showcase the huge roastery. A platform was set up at the back of the store, visible from every seat, and the roasting machine, the star of the show, was placed proudly in the center. It is surrounded by a bean cellar, the symbol of %ARABICA, which enlivens the star of the show. The store is orchestrated by %ARABICA's excellent baristas, who also play a leading role. A U-shaped kitchen counter is set up in the center of the store so that the brilliant performance of the baristas is highlighted and the pleasant sound echoes throughout the space. In order to allow customers to enjoy the live performance of these two main characters from anywhere in the seating area, a large, pillar-less atrium was created and seating was arranged around it. The main part of the seating area is box seating, separated by sheer curtains. These seats are laid out on two levels on either side of the atrium, in consideration of Saudi Arabia's concern for the distance between men and women. Other seating options include bench seating around the kitchen counter, where you can watch the baristas at work, and counter seating where you can look out over the entire space, to provide a variety of seating options for different types of customers. A comfortable light pours down from the vaulted ceiling through perforated metal. We hope you will enjoy the delicious coffee and its story with all your senses in this bright and open theater.



Project member

Jun Watanabe

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