Say goodbye and good riddance to comfy couches (that aren’t really that comfortable anyway), nostalgic watercolor artwork and faux chalkboard menu signs, it’s time to try something new.
Intelligentsia Venice Coffee Shop
As reported by food and beverage hipster blog FoodGPS, Intelligentsia Venice coffee shop (the Los Angeles one) on Abbot Kinney Blvd, throws away tired old Friends TV Show coffee shop conventions in favor of something a little more practical. Expected to open the last week of March, the concept features “swiveling hydraulic pods,” that allow baristas to customize their workspace and better serve the expected throngs of coffee hungry customers.
The industry needs more of this sort of innovation; I’m excited to see Intelligentsia leading the charge to change convention. We can all use a little change.
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- Pod barista workstations
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- Pods swivel
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- Kyle demonstrates barista position
I agree it is time for a change in the decor and concept of the “coffeehouse.” A new dynamic will sure inspire coffee drinkers to patronize a place like a pub or bar type too.
I completely disagree. I went there last night for a coffee with two friends. I am not usually so radical in judgments. But this time I have to say that it is a really cool design, but in my opinion it might be in a long term unsuccessful, unfortunately.
We have to think as designers about the responsibility of designing, like shaping habits and feelings, before throwing a new designs hoping that a cool design would change the habits of people. It doesn’t work like that. You might try to change little by little habits. How people are really going to use the space? Change is a good advertising but it has to keep the people coming back, not just because it is cool, but because they like to spend time and money there. Abbot Kinney is a street where you go to spend some time and enjoy maybe some company, it’s not in any downtown area, where you just rush for a coffee before work. Even in Italy, where coffee is so part of the culture, there is the counter for those that like just to rush for a coffee, but there is always an alternative outside/inside where to enjoy quietly the coffee, to make the people choose if they want to read, stand or talk, and not let the designers decide for them. That design might kill that business in a long term unfortunately. I hope not, I really hope not, and I wish the best success and glory for the owners and the designers, but designing a public space it’s not just about being cool, it’s also taking care of people feelings.