Two weeks ago, I shared featured photos of the Intelligentsia Coffee Venice construction site, but photos of rubble and wood frames didn’t exactly do justice to the cutting-edge coffeehouse. Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea Director of Innovation Kyle Glanville remedied the situation by providing renderings from Ana Henton of MASS Architecture & Design. You should also know that Glanville said the opening date has shifted to the week of March 30 due to “structural issues.”
In December, I discussed the coffeehouse’s custom-fabricated “pods,” but they were hard to visualize, until now. It’s impossible to tell due to the resized rendering, but the two baristas above are Glanville (forefront) and Ryan Willbur, who’s about to compete in the United States Barista Championship.
“The pods have a hydraulic function where everything can lower or ascend,” said Glanville. “They also swivel. The inspiration is almost like a salon where individual stations will be manned by one barista. They customize the experience depending on how they like they work.” When you walk through the door, there are two pods on the right, two on the left. There’s also a center console that hosts Clover coffee makers, sinks, fridges and a freezer, which will allow Intelligentsia to store gelato and add affogato to their arsenal.
Next to the pods, you should see a drink rail, two steel supports and a plank of wood. “That’s the closest thing we have to a countertop,” said Glanville, “and that’s where people will receive their drinks.”
Blog Comments
Richard
February 19, 2009 at 6:16 PM
No Food??
Evan
February 19, 2009 at 10:46 AM
Is there really no place to sit besides the “concrete landing”?
Joshua Lurie
February 19, 2009 at 12:07 PM
There will also be bench seating outside.
WALT!
February 19, 2009 at 10:03 AM
Those are some funky minimalist counters. I guess the baristas will all have to wear pants now.
Intelligentsia Venice Renderings Revealed « Deaton
February 19, 2009 at 8:40 AM
[…] Deaton Got coffee? « Intelligentsia 2008 Cruz del Sur Micro-lot Intelligentsia Venice Renderings Revealed February 19, 2009 If you want to have a read about our new cafe’s concept have a look here. […]
Jared
February 19, 2009 at 8:05 AM
Nice coverage, Joshua… Looking good.
Intelligentsia, Venice | Los Angeles Metblogs
February 18, 2009 at 10:53 PM
[…] the most, if not THE most innovative coffee shop in the world. Certainly in LA. Just take a peak at these renderings. Wow. I’m going to try and get photos myself as soon as possible, but let’s just say […]
Intelligentsia’s Venice Store Redefines Coffee Shop Design | coffee business strategies
February 18, 2009 at 11:16 AM
[…] reported by food and beverage hipster blog FoodGPS, Intelligentsia Coffee’s new store in Venice (the Los Angeles one) on Abbot Kinney Blvd, […]
Chris
February 18, 2009 at 8:46 AM
I swore I was done with LA forever when I moved away in 1994. Dang it, Intelli! My mom thanks you for the future repeat visits home!
Sarah Dooley
February 17, 2009 at 11:41 AM
speachless!
choisauce
February 17, 2009 at 1:38 AM
how exciting, can’t wait to check it out. way to build up the suspense though with all the “structural issues.” booooo