The understated 2050 Coffee in Kyoto by Teki Design addresses the urgent concern of a possible 2050 worldwide coffee shortage. The café’s design attempts to bring attention to sustainability concerns that may have an impact on coffee consumption in the future.
Raising Awareness Through Design
Tatsuya Nishinaga, the founder of Teki Design, highlights that climate change may limit the places appropriate for coffee cultivation, thereby making coffee a luxury good. The simple décor of the café aims to inform patrons about the state of coffee and the environmental issues it faces.
Innovative Minimalist Aesthetic
Two levels make up the open-concept layout of 2050 Coffee. Large rectilinear windows on the café’s façade showcase its monochromatic interior, which includes lit counters constructed of corrugated polycarbonate sheets and smooth grey walls. This material was selected for the minimalist design because it is recognizable and reflective, and it is frequently used for low-cost shed roofs. It also gives the design a slight texture.
Functional and Futuristic Elements
The café uses self-service devices that are arranged on curved polycarbonate countertops. In a matter of seconds, these machines can generate five different kinds of sustainable drip coffee. At the entrance, a big polycarbonate sign bearing the 2050 Coffee emblem serves as a lighthouse, directing traffic toward the café. There’s a modest seating room on the ground floor with black benches, and an upper area with dark-hued couches and racks displaying coffee accoutrements. Floor to ceiling mirrors reflect these shelves, adding to the futuristic feel of the café.
A Space for Education and Community
2050 Coffee shops serve as venues for pop-up events centered around coffee and sustainability in addition to being places to have a cup of coffee. Nishinaga observes that the equilibrium between the supply and demand for coffee may be upset if consumption grows, especially in Asia where tea has historically been preferred. People can learn about and consider the wider ramifications of their coffee use in the café.
Conclusion
2050 Coffee, a forward-thinking coffee shop on a Kyoto street corner, aims to raise awareness and encourage conversation about the environmental issues that the coffee industry faces. Teki Design’s approach to drawing attention to the possible scarcity of coffee in the future while supporting ecological practices is shown in its simple yet practical design.
Photos: Kenta Hasegawa
Finally, find out more on ArchUp:
