Starbucks at Suzzallo Library, University of Washi

Cafe As Campus Focal Point

Graham Baba Architects as Architects

Situated in Suzzallo Library—the historic 1926 Collegiate Gothic-styled library located at the heart of the University of Washington—the flagship Starbucks café sits just off the primary entry lobby. The 4,100-square-foot space was originally used as a reading room, and after a building renovation in 2002, was converted to a student lounge and café.

 

With concept design by the in-house design team at Starbucks, Graham Baba Architects was responsible for realizing the design and managing the process on behalf of the University. Principle among the design challenges was the integration of the necessary infrastructure improvements into a historic structure. Construction inside of the fully-operational university library, required detailed coordination to navigate the sensitive spaces above and below the cafe, as well as integrating the corporate brand and culture of Starbucks within the university setting.

 

To organize the space, large-scale elements were introduced to serve provide an underlying structure. A large service island (13’-9” x 33’-6”), wrapped by reclaimed wood and two-tone cement flooring, takes center stage. On one side of the island are grab-and-go cases and espresso machines stations. On the opposite side is a long specialty coffee bar. Surrounding the island is seating for more than 100 customers through a mix of lounge chairs, soft sofas, café and bar seating, as well as community tables—all with easy access to electrical convenience outlets. Custom wood and steel sliding panels wrap the room’s perimeter and provide concealed access to existing mechanical equipment.

 

The public spaces of the café are separated from the back-of-house by a large, steel-and-wood screen wall which houses a commissioned multi-media art piece. The 40-foot sculpture is made with found coffee-related objects, and historical objects from the Suzzallo Library, along with hand-fabricated elements and reclaimed wood. The concept was inspired by the ornate detailing on Suzzallo Library’s façade and the hand-carved friezes atop the oak bookcases that line the library walls. Local artist Matthew Olds, who studied art at the UW, created the multi-layered art work to tell the story of the many hands involved in the coffee journey, from bean to cup.

 

Original elements within the space, including the original doors, ornate iron scrollwork, and original steel-framed, stained-glass windows, were preserved. The windows provide natural light into the partial-basement space. New elements such as metalwork and columns reference the building’s metal structural features. New ceiling finishes and lighting (featuring LED light fixtures), new flooring, and low-emitting paints and coatings.

 

The space functions for students in much the same way neighborhood Starbucks stores do, providing a place to meet up with friends, work together on a project, or simply relax. A variety of seating and settings supports this idea. The space serves as a warm and welcoming space for the thousands of students, faculty, staff and guests who visit the library each day. 

 

Graham Baba Architects design team

Jim Graham, Principal-In-Charge

Brett Baba, Design Principal

Brian Jonas, Project Manager

Jenn LaFreniere, Project Architect

Liz Kee, Project Architect

 

Project team

Graham Baba Architects (interior architecture and architect of record)

Starbucks Coffee Company (concept designer, interior designer, and lighting concept design)

Degenkolb Engineers (structural engineer)

Rushing (mechanical and electrical engineering, lighting )

Gordon Adams (hardware consultant)

SpecRite (specifications)

Matthew Olds (artist)

Centennial Contractors Enterprises, Inc. (contractor)

 

Materials

Perimeter sliding doors (custom white oak and waxed steel, fabricated by Millwork Brothers)

Restroom door (clad in plastic laminate, Flakeboard AF225 Black Ice)

Paints and stains (Sherwin Williams)

Solid surfacing (Dupont Corian Deep Mink at main coffee back bar and at condiment kiosks; Caesarstone 2230 Linen at main coffee bar customer facing counters)

Plaster at perimeter wall pilaster (Milestone)

Ceiling acoustical finish (Polysorb, Silver/Cloud)

Project Credits
Products used in this project
Product Spec Sheet

ElementBrandProduct name
Solid surfacing Caesarstone
Solid surfacing Dupont Corian
Paints and stains Sherwin-Williams
Product Spec Sheet
Solid surfacing
Solid surfacing
Paints and stains
Project Spotlight
Product Spotlight
News
PLATO Gallery of Contemporary Art: Architecture finalist in Mies van der Rohe Awards 2024
29 Mar 2024 News
PLATO Gallery of Contemporary Art: Architecture finalist in Mies van der Rohe Awards 2024

In this Archello series, we look at each of the seven nominated projects (five architecture finalist... More

Detail: sliding panels of natural pine protect a residential complex from the Mallorcan sun
29 Mar 2024 Detail
Detail: sliding panels of natural pine protect a residential complex from the Mallorcan sun

Spanish architecture firm OHLAB has recently completed Paseo de Mallorca 15, a residential complex o... More

Snøhetta designs new extension for the world’s oldest ski museum in Oslo
28 Mar 2024 News
Snøhetta designs new extension for the world’s oldest ski museum in Oslo

Global transdisciplinary architecture and design practice Snøhetta has designed a new entranc... More

10 public buildings that demonstrate architectural applications of precast concrete
27 Mar 2024 Specification
10 public buildings that demonstrate architectural applications of precast concrete

Precast concrete is made by casting concrete in a reusable mold. These molds are made of various mat... More

Sameep Padora and Associates creates a flowing, organic art center in southern India
26 Mar 2024 News
Sameep Padora & Associates creates a flowing, organic art center in southern India

Mumbai-based Sameep Padora & Associates (sP+a) has completed Hampi Art Labs in Toranagallu, a vi... More

Introducing Partner Thermory AS
26 Mar 2024 Partner News
Introducing Partner Thermory AS

Thermory AS offers a diverse product range that includes durable exterior cladding, decking, interio... More

Brooklyn Tower by ShOP Architects showcases a unique materiality
25 Mar 2024 News
Brooklyn Tower by ShOP Architects showcases a unique materiality

Brooklyn Tower, standing an impressive ninety-three stories tall with a unique neo-deco crown, is al... More

Doriana Fuksas, Martin Lesjak, Li Xiang and Steven Wright join Archello Awards 2024 jury
25 Mar 2024 Archello Awards
Doriana Fuksas, Martin Lesjak, Li Xiang and Steven Wright join Archello Awards 2024 jury

Doriana Fuksas, Martin Lesjak, Li Xiang and Steven Wright have been announced as Archello Awards 202... More