Adjacent to a busy avenue, a mobile espresso bar with a remarkable identity reveals everyday its exceptional recipes, early in the morning. Based on the concept that coffee is more a ritual rather than a daily habit, State Mobile Espresso Bar embodies the blend of a typical Italian coffee store and a contemporary spotfor take away andshort meetings. The project is also the latest addition to a distinctive Greek coffee chain.
The plot consists of three basic units. Firstly, a 500 sq.mdrive thru and park site area. A five meters long canteen which is placed centrallyin the layout,is the second unit. Finally, a three meters high metal installation which functions as a shelter to the canteen, providing protection from the weather conditions, is the thirdunit which completes the synthesis.
The mobile espresso bar is a rectangular volume which is placed on a concrete platform in the center of the plot. This volume has the capability to be transported for festive events or special occasions and return back to its permanent basis. It is coated with a metallic surface in blue turquoise color. The big openings of the elevation provide an extrovert character to the project highlighting the vintage style interior. The bar design prevails in façade with its marble texture solid counter. Custom-made pendant light-boxes over the bar create a welcoming and cozy atmosphere. A series of materials and design manipulations, such as walnut textures in the bar coatings, chevron patterns on the ceiling and geometric tiles on the production area compose a palette which intends to introduce the customers to an older era through an experiential time journey. Black details add a luxurious and timeless touch bringing gentle contrasts. This storytelling design approach echoes memories from the New York espresso bars in the 30’s, where coffee was more a ritual rather than a daily product.
The shelter is composed of a metal installation and a sound absorbing panel roof. Its industrial form adjusts perfectly to the surroundings while its black color highlights the espresso bar, making it clearly visible from distance. Air ducts, spotlights and shading systems placed under the roof provide additional functions, in a design direction tailored to today’s standards. The overall result is completed by the neon signs and branding design detailswhich balance between modern and vintage conforming to the architectural identity of the project.
