Studio BANAA has taken the concept of a coffee shop to new heights with its latest project for Voyager Craft Coffee, a micro-café located in San José, California. This vibrant establishment, the sixth location for Voyager, breaks away from the typical chain coffee shop aesthetic, embracing a maximalist design that is both playful and sophisticated.
A Bold Design Direction
Co-founder and managing principal of Studio BANAA, Dane Bunton, describes the café as a progression of the brand’s visual language, stating, “This is a progression of the brand, but for this project they wanted to go all out on the color.” The café occupies a mere 1,000 square feet, previously a seafood restaurant, yet it manages to create a spacious and engaging environment.
Artistic Inspirations
Nastaran Mousavi, co-founder and design director, drew inspiration from the paper cut-outs of Henri Matisse. “I was inspired by Matisse and his collages to bring in materials and textures in a very cohesive way,” she explains. This artistic influence is evident in the café’s design, which features a sculptural coffee bar clad in pink perforated metal, surrounded by integrated shelving that enhances both customer flow and staff efficiency.
Maximalist Elements
The interior is characterized by repeated curves and playful details, including scalloped pendant lights and a squiggle LED inset. Cushioned benches and blue steel tables complement the vibrant atmosphere, while wavy wall trims and mirrored window ledges add depth and intrigue. Two custom murals, inspired by the topography of Brazil and Ethiopia—where Voyager sources its beans—are rendered in saturated shades of blue, green, and coral, evoking an imaginative landscape rather than a literal map.
Creating Big Impact in Small Spaces
Despite its compact size, the café does not compromise on design quality. Mousavi notes, “We didn’t have as many architectural moves to play around with, and so it is a patchwork of elements that somehow come together.” The result is a small space with a striking presence, showcasing Studio BANAA’s ability to blend creativity with functionality.
To explore more of Studio BANAA’s innovative designs, visit their website at studiobanaa.com.
This article was produced by NeonPulse.today using human and AI-assisted editorial processes, based on publicly available information. Content may be edited for clarity and style.
