Architect:
Hariri & Hariri - Architecture
Completion:
2006
Description:
Given that this is the first of what's to be many Juan Valdez stores throughout America, the architects Hariri and Hariri emblazoned the familiar Valdez logo three stories tall, almost to say, "Watch out Starbucks, here comes Juan!" While this gesture does attract attention from a distance, it also creates an overlap between old and new in a way that negates the dichotomy, in search of a synthesis or link. The architects contend that they tried to link coffee growers in Colombia (Valdez is owned by the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia) with American consumers and found a design inspiration for this linking in coffee's three states.
Where the facade represents the link between Colombia and New York, the folded wood wall at the front of the store represents the solid state of coffee, holding the bar and bean store together. The liquid state of coffee is represented by an undulating wall that runs the length of the store, from the entry door to the rear projection screen. A cove light runs the length as well, reinforcing the importance of this wall.
Images:
Address:
140 East 57th Street
New York, NY 10022
Map/Directions/Info:
The building is located on East 57th, just east of Lexington in Midtown Manhattan.
Train: 4,5,6,N,R,W to 59 St/Lexington
Bus: Need bus info
Car: Being Manhattan, visiting by car isn't recommended.
Nearby:
Links:
National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia
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