Voyager Espresso Bar, Manhattan Interior Design Development, William St NYC, Images

Voyager Espresso Bar in New York

Coffee Bar Interior, Manhattan, New York City, NY design by Architects: Only If, USA

Apr 19, 2016

Voyager Espresso Bar in New York City

Architects: Only If

Location: 110 William St, New York, NY 10038, USA

Voyager Espresso

In early 2016, a new specialty espresso bar opened in a subway concourse of the Fulton Street station in Manhattan’s Financial District. The architects were commissioned to develop an innovative architectural and interior design for this unusual and small underground site, measuring only 550 square feet (51 square meters) in area.

In contrast to the artisanal aesthetic of contemporary coffee culture, the design and material palette refers to the client’s scientific approach to coffee making. From the beginning, the architects avoided the clichéd language of white tile, reclaimed wood, and exposed Edison bulbs. As a result, the material palette is inexpensive yet futuristic. The walls are clad in oriented strand board (OSB), which is transformed through the application of aluminum enamel paint. Work surfaces consist of black marble countertop, which plays off the texture of the walls. Elsewhere, perforated aluminum, copper, and black rubber are used.

The design of the small space is based on the organization of two circles: one for service (the Barista Station) and another for seating (the Grotto). The Barista Station can be read as a positive volume, whereas the Grotto can be read as a negative volume excavated from the surrounding walls. Practically, the layout consolidates the storage and back of house at the rear of the space, and maximizes visibility of the space along its glass storefront to the subway con- course.

The layout creates a variety of different social settings for seating, from individual to collective, intimate to exposed. The design team worked closely with the client to integrate custom coffee equipment and refine the ergonomics of coffee making and service. The circular bar design allows for two baristas to work simultaneously and seamlessly through two points of sale. The barista does each transaction from start to finish. This helps to make the service more personable. Through its unique design, this espresso bar is redefining coffee culture in New York

Voyager Espresso Bar in New York – Building Information

Architects: Only If
Location: 110 William St, New York, NY 10038, USA
Area: 51.0 sqm
Project Year: 2016
Design Team: Karolina Czeczek, Matthew Davis, Adam Snow Frampton, AIA, Francesca Pagliaro, James Schrader, Jon Siani
Specialist Lighting: Dot Dash
Contractor: RZ Project Management Corp.
Budget: $89,500
Number of Seats: 15
Key Materials: Black Rubber Floor, OSB Finish Walls, Black Marble Countertop, Perforated Aluminum, Perforated Silver Faux Leather, Copper Laminate

Photographs: Michael Vahrenwald/Esto

Voyager Espresso Bar in New York images / information received 190416

Location: 110 William St, New York, NY 10038, USA

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