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Architects: Jane Kim Design
- Year: 2013
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Photographs:Alan Tansey
Text description provided by the architects. The Counter Culture Coffee Training Center is dedicated to coffee education for both professional baristas and home brewers. It is the next generation in the evolution of education in specialty coffee, serving as a classroom, showroom, dining room, auditorium, and event space.In addition to training professional baristas and passionate home brewers in the fundamentals of preparing and serving coffee, the space hosts food events with guest chefs, competition training, and a professional tech service workshop.
Custom millwork derived from the different coffee-making processes were designed as workspaces throughout the training center. The welcome area features a professional, four-seat bar with one of the country’s first installations of an under-counter modular coffee brewing system from Modbar.A custom stainless steel drain table occupies the center of the space opposite the bleachers. The perforated surface allows the entire table to be a drain tray for ease of use by groups of people brewing pour-over coffee. It also acts as a focal point for lectures and presentations.
A wood bleacher folds up the wall opposite the drain table. The folds include several layers of seats, a table, a desk, drawers, and cabinets. A wood screen obscures the staircase which leads to the offices and storage in the cellar. Reclaimed maple factory flooring and heart pine are used throughout.
The back of the space houses a next-generation espresso training room for total immersion learning for up to 20 participants. Two U-shaped counters enable instructors to lecture and demonstrate techniques to both sides of the room. Sliding glass doors separate the space from the rest of the Training Center, allowing natural light to filter through.
