The Union

For my first project in Studio III I had to design a retail space of my choice in 1,000 square feet. I decided to 
research and design a coffee house that would be authentic, marketable, but most importantly active within 
the community as well as the world. 

I love coffee shops because of the interesting people that they attract, their general aesthetic, and of course the bottomless cup of coffee. Because I love to study people's mannerisms as well as anything socially awkward a coffee shop is a good place for someone like myself to sit and simply observe. These experiences as well as extensive research of materials and layout led me to this design.

THE UNION IS A COFFEE HOUSE THAT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO COME AND THINK, SOCIALIZE, OR SIMPLY GRAB A COFFEE. THE UNIONS UNIQUE ENVIRONMENT CREATES  A PLACE WHERE THE CUSTOMERS CAN BETTER EACH OTHER WITH CONVERSATION, REFLECTION, AND COFFEE. 

  
THE UNION IS AN ACTIVIST. WE GIVE BACK TO THE COFFEE FARMERS IN EAST AFRICA BY 
 SUPPORTING TECHNOSERVE WHICH IS HELPING THESE SMALL-SCALE FARMERS BOOST THEIR 
INCOMES BY IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF THEIR COFFEE. TECHNOSERVE HAS PARTNERED WITH 
180,000 FARMERS IN ONLY FOUR YEARS.