The 20th Century building “Kenzo Tange,” one of Chicago’s most cherished landmarks, now features a new entrance: a sleek new Coffee Cart designed by architecture studio Norman Kelley with architect and educator Spencer McNeil.
The Kenzo Tange building, situated at 515 North State Street in Chicago, was designed by a Japanese architect of the same name who received the 1987 Pritzker Prize. The American Medical Association constructed the structure in 1990 as a model of contemporary architecture that logically combined technology and humanity by integrating traditional influences with simple lines.
©imgur.com
A Minimalist Coffee Cart Made the Serving of Caffeine Appear With a Flair
The project, which goes by the name “Cart,” is designed as a kiosk cart to provide various coffee products and a seasonally inspired take-out menu on the ground floor of the 29-story office building owned by a division of Beacon Capital Partners. The architecture studio described Cart as “an abstraction of a traditional form in keeping with Tange’s architectural heritage.” The new retail Cart is made of stylish, stainless steel geometric shapes, just like the nearby lobby, a minimalistic combination of polished granite and stainless steel.
©Daniel Kelleghan
A traditional Japanese “yatai” cart from the 17th century, 5 meters long, 2 meters wide, and 3,4 meters high, is used to pull a contemporary take on the classic car. The Coffee Cart is supported by six stainless steel cylinders and six conventional wheels. Despite being stationary, Cart’s simplified metallic form is intended to provide the lobby and nearby public plaza the impression of movement, according to Kelley and McNeil.
©Daniel Kelleghan
There are four refrigerators and one cooler on this Cart, all made of stainless steel. The open ceiling structure has some jatoba wood shelves attached to it. The design finishes at the top with an open frame, a four-sided continuous LED strip, and an animated banner 7 meters high. It pleasantly showcases still images and texts for passersby.
Sources: https://www.wallpaper.com/architecture-chicago-coffee-cart-norman-kelley-spencer-mcneil-usa
Aly Bayoumi is an editor with a sharp eye for detail and a deep commitment to clarity and precision. Passionate about architecture and design, he sees every project as an opportunity to shape compelling narratives that bring creative visions to life. With a focus on accuracy and engaging storytelling, Aly combines editorial expertise with a dedication to elevating the voices and ideas that shape the built environment.