Architecture studio EBBA has completed a store for coffee brand WatchHouse that draws on modernist design to provide a calming environment in the heart of the City of London.
Situated in the 30 Fenchurch Street building of the Square Mile financial district, the store was designed by EBBA for coffee company WatchHouse, which has several cafes around London and also sells its own roasts.
The store interior references modernist architecture
Having previously completed several other stores for the brand, EBBA was tasked with transforming an empty unit in the landmark office development into an inviting space aimed at attracting visitors from the adjacent lobby.
"This store offered the opportunity to think carefully about how to make a high quality and calming retail environment that also caters to the flexible operation of the visitors and the building in which it sits," EBBA founder Benni Allan told Dezeen. The space aims to offer a calming environment
The project brief called for a space focused on retail that also integrates a bar for serving customers. The interior has a more open and relaxed feel than the brand's other locations, which operate more like typical coffee shops.
With ample comfortable seating available in the adjacent atrium, EBBA chose to incorporate different settings where customers can rest while waiting for their coffee.
Furniture including lounge chairs arranged around a coffee table and bar stools at the counter allow the space to be used in ...