BLUE BOTTLE COFFEE NAGOYA GATETOWER MALL CAFE

Surrounded by high-rise buildings, Nagoya Station is the busiest transit hub in the Tokai region. The project site, Takashimaya Gate Tower Mall, is directly connected to the station and serves as a crossroads for people traveling for business, tourism, and shopping. Within this setting, the new Blue Bottle Coffee was envisioned as a space that carries a sharp, urban atmosphere, while also allowing a diverse range of guests—those who want to spend time slowly, or those stopping by in between busy schedules—to choose their own pace of spending time in the café.

At the heart of the plan is Blue Bottle Coffee’s iconic drip counter, around which the space is divided into two zones: a relaxed seating area with benches, sofas, and tables, and a quick seating area centered on high chairs. The overall finish employs aluminum spandrels, a material commonly used in train stations, bus terminals, and airports. By choosing aluminum—also used in automobiles and aircraft—the design ties together an urban sensibility with Nagoya’s industrial background. In contrast, the furniture combines oak wood with brown-toned fabrics that echo the aluminum’s color, aiming to balance the industrial impression of metal with a calm, welcoming atmosphere.