Sarutahiko Coffee D-LIFEPLACE SAPPORO

Interior design for the new branch of Sarutahiko Coffee, marking its debut in Hokkaido. The planned site is located in an underground space facing the underground passage extending south from Sapporo Station. In addition to the storefront facing an atrium with a soaring ceiling height of about 6 meters, creating an open atmosphere despite not directly facing outdoor elements. The layout includes retail space, kitchen, and seating area arranged from the underground passage side, with employee areas strategically placed further back to ensure visibility from the kitchen to all seating areas. The design embraces the undulations of the floor plan created by zoning, spaces under escalators, and existing pillars, segmenting wall and ceiling surfaces to create a sense of scale similar to the floor plan, with gradual steps between segments to form multiple cohesive volumes within the vast space. Benches and furniture are meticulously placed to provide various seating options, aiming to create a space where visitors would want to explore different seating areas upon return. Furthermore, distinctive linear lighting from the atrium outside is incorporated into the wall surfaces' steps to enhance continuity and unity between the interior and exterior, making it more inviting for passersby to step into the store. The finish for the walls and ceiling consists of brown resin mortar, with tactile surfaces smoothed for areas accessible to touch, while coarser finishes are applied to upper surfaces untouched by human contact, intending to produce diverse expressions depending on seating locations and lighting conditions. Thus, by encapsulating numerous elements such as floor plans, lighting, and finishes within the vast underground space, an attempt is made to create a human-scale oasis in the unique underground public spaces of cold climates.