Starbucks Just Opened A Store In Taiwan Made Of Shipping Containers

Written by

Kenya Foy
Kenya Foy
Kenya is a Dallas-based freelance entertainment and lifestyle writer who devotes most of her free time to traveling, gardening, playing piano and reading way too many advice columns.
published Oct 15, 2018
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(Image credit: Starbucks Corporation)

Your favorite coffee shop chain just made another addition its stores—this time, one that is eco-friendly.

Starbucks constructed a 3,400 square foot store fashioned out of recycled shipping containers, and it officially opened late last month in Taiwan. Situated inside the soon-to-be-opened Hualien City Mall, the two-story shop is made from 29 of the repurposed structures, the first of its kind in the Asia Pacific region.

Japanese architect Kengo Kuma is responsible for designing the store’s LEGO-esque exterior. The look is mostly white accentuated by large splashes of bold colors, which were inspired by the foliage of coffee trees and the traditional Chinese bucket arch.

Skylights allow natural sunlight to permeate the geometric space, which features a mural paying homage to the city and its aboriginal Amis peoples. Depending on where customers take a seat inside, they’ll either be treated to views of the neighboring mountain range or decorative graphics that depict coffee stories.

(Image credit: Starbucks Corporation)

In an official announcement, Starbucks pegged the eye-catching establishment as a place to help “bring people together over coffee.” This development is the latest step taken by “Starbucks Greener Stores,” the company’s official commitment to constructing more sustainable stores that are both designed and operated using reclaimed materials. The structures are built off-site, then delivered and installed in such a way that limits environmental impact, allowing Starbucks to maintain its sustainability standards.

The US is home to 45 of Starbucks’ shipping container coffee shops.

h/t Inhabitat