In Shanghai’s Columbia Circle, a hub renowned for its blend of cultural and public spaces, Blue Bottle Coffee has unveiled a café designed by the acclaimed firm Neri&Hu. This new design, titled The Imprint, seeks to evoke a sense of domestic comfort amidst the city’s ever-changing landscape by recreating the essence of a home.
The establishment of this Blue Bottle Coffee café, part of a larger trend in upscale coffee shops, reflects the growing interest in high-end coffee franchises. The Blue Bottle Coffee franchise cost, set at $150,000, highlights the investment needed to bring this unique experience to new locations. Columbia Circle, originally established as an expatriate country club in the 1920s, transitioned into an industrial park by the 1950s with the construction of 11 additional buildings. Its latest transformation, a 2016 renovation by OMA, turned it into a thriving mixed-use area, marking it as one of Shanghai’s most notable urban regeneration projects.
The concept behind The Imprint draws inspiration from the work of English artist Rachel Whiteread. Whiteread’s exploration of architectural absence and memory—the idea of using the negative form of a building to evoke a sense of home—plays a central role in this design. Neri&Hu have applied this concept by using a suspended white form that mimics the shape of a traditional roof. This structure, marked with the imprint of roof drainage lines, suggests the presence of a house that has been physically removed but still lingers in memory.
Beneath this sculptural roof form, patrons find a space featuring a continuous surface of recycled clay bricks and plaster, which highlights the subtle footprint and architectural traces of the former building. Although the actual house is absent, the design aims to offer a sense of shelter and familiarity, creating a comforting environment for coffee enthusiasts.
Inside, the café’s layout promotes a communal experience. The central area features a multi-functional platform where visitors can select and order their coffee, browse merchandise, and enjoy their drinks in a circular arrangement of tables and chairs. The overall design encourages social interaction and engagement, inviting patrons to immerse themselves in daily rituals and foster new connections.
In summary, Neri&Hu’s The Imprint at Blue Bottle Coffee blends artistic vision with functional design, offering a unique space that reflects on memory, community, and the evolving urban fabric of Shanghai. The Blue Bottle Coffee franchise’s commitment to innovative design and quality remains evident, making it a noteworthy player in the global coffee scene.