Over the past few years, we have collaborated with Verve multiple times on new stores, retrofits, and work at their headquarters in Santa Cruz. The Manhattan Beach project was our third full buildout of a store with them and the first we have completed in Southern California.
The primary design goal for a Verve space is for it to become part of the neighborhood fabric; they all have their own unique vibe. The only specific design standard is for the space to feel bright, airy and balanced, not overcrowded or stark. The Manhattan Beach location was a design experiment to realize a full service cafe, with a food service program into a minimal footprint (900 sqft). We pack a ton of equipment and functionality into these spaces, and the fundamental design challenge is to orchestrate the seamless flow of coffee & food without the space becoming chaotic despite having as much equipment as a full service restaurant.
We first designed the Manhattan Beach location in early 2020 and then redesigned the store layout in response to covid, with a pickup window, less interior seating, and more streamlined customer flow, but the overall aesthetic of the store remains as initially conceived.
Manhattan Beach Blvd is a lively, vibrant pedestrian thoroughfare. The expansive storefront on two sides of the space remains entirely unobstructed to maximize transparency from both sides of the glass. The linear bar pivots at the ordering area to greet the entry and a simple standing bar directs the customer through the space.
During the project we were influenced by piano tile which is frequently used as an exterior facade treatment in Japan. The mosaic has a subtle elegance that adds a rich textural element without being too loud. The glaze we chose has a purple hue which intentionally compliments the warmer orange tones of the oak casework accents.
