While strolling through the alleys of Taipei's Eastern District, you suddenly come across a lush banyan tree, behind which stands a bright, transparent, and pristine concept store, seemingly welcoming you with open arms. The slender shelves, gracefully standing in front of the window, create a semi-transparent visual effect with their varied arrangement, which deeply attracts people's attention and sparks a curiosity to explore further.

Given that commercial spaces face a decline in topicality every three to five years, and people may experience aesthetic fatigue, Waterfrom Design contemplated how to integrate this specialty coffee bean store into daily life, adapting to the consumption patterns of different periods. Therefore, combining the expectations of the owner, they made the packaging boxes of coffee beans the main focus of the space, with each flavor identified by its color. Stainless steel display racks subtly support the colorful blocks above, giving the impression of floating in mid-air, which focuses passersby’s attention on the products in the window, thus returning to the core service essence of the store. Upon closer inspection, one can observe that the colors on the shelves constantly change, transforming into a dynamic visual wall as customers pick and choose according to their preferences. This interaction between people and products consciously responds to environmental changes, subtly reflecting the owner's overarching concept of sustainability.

Designers have varied interpretations of open spaces, and the primary consideration is how to engage both consumers and passersby in a shared experience within the environment. Thus, the store employs display windows to reduce the distance and enhance interaction with people, utilizing the dynamic expressions of product color blocks as art installations. These installations capture the preferences of the general market, quantifying the evolution of hues and subtly guiding people to stop and explore the store. As time passes, sunlight creates vibrant and diverse expressions within the space through dynamic light and shadow, and the aroma of coffee beans from a roasting machine in the corner fills the air.

Using white as the base tone and incorporating negative space to let human behavior guide the overall space, the experience begins with an offering of coffee upon entering. At the center of the spacious area is a large island bar with an irregular geometric shape that integrates various functions, designed to respond to customer interactions. From experiencing the unique aroma of coffee beans to showcasing professional hand-brewing techniques, the design immerses customers in a continuous sensory feedback loop. The designer’s meticulously crafted lighting fixtures and bar stools act as fitting yet avant-garde embellishments, carefully arranged to offer distinct experiences in each area, guiding people step by step toward a profound understanding of coffee. Upon closer inspection, the texture of the bar’s base reveals traces of repurposed burlap sacks, telling stories of various plantations. This context metaphorically illustrates the cultivation and irrigation of raw beans, emphasizing the connection to the environment. The combination of soft and hard materials further adds a touch of warmth and imaginative quality to the bar.

Within the framework of the existing supply chain, Waterfrom Design draws inspiration from the surrounding environment to rethink the relationship between physical stores and consumer behavior, while also exploring more sustainable and gentle possibilities. By utilizing the color display of existing products, they create a current context that allows for standardized hinges to extend and adapt to growing customer needs and potential increases in product variety and quantity in the future. BEAN ROOM is crafted by a group of coffee professionals who aim to share this gift from nature. Through genuine interaction with people and dialogue with the environment, they make coffee tasting an everyday scene on the streets of the Eastern District, creating moments that are both fleeting and eternal.

Design | Waterfrom Design  Facebook  @waterfrom_design

Photographer | Studio Milespace  Facebook  @studio_millspace