St Frank Coffee
St Frank Coffee wanted a coffee bar designed around providing a unique, customer- and coffee-focused experience, as they focus on relationally-sourced coffee from small-scale growers. The design utilizes a simple, yet rich, material palette that accentuates the abundance of natural light in the narrow retail space.
We designed the space as two halves—the upper half is a luminous volume bounded by white walls and a high ceiling illuminated by four large skylights; the lower half contains a rich wood surface that is the backdrop for the bright white coffee bar. The space is designed to be as open and obstacle-free as possible, including detailing the front counter to accommodate a pair of custom-built recessed espresso machines. The wood paneling and furniture are trimmed in unfinished steel, detailed to be simple and direct without being overtly industrial.
Done in collaboration with Amanda Loper of David Baker Architects, the design was awarded an AIA San Francisco Merit Award for Interior Architecture, and has been featured in Dwell’s online edition, the Sunday Style section of the San Francisco Chronicle and other notable publications.
7×7 Four More New Cafés and Coffee Spots
Contractor: Buck O’Neill Builders
Photographer: Patricia Chang Photography
Client: St. Frank Coffee
Location: 2340 Polk Street, San Francisco
Awards: AIA Interior Architecture Award