Interior Design for a Bubble Tea Shop
Oasis Tea Zone Capitol Hill
A tea shop with a particular challenge: attract people inside when they can’t see the counter from the street.
The client came to us to design a new bubble tea cafe in an existing storefront in the Pike-Pine corridor on Capitol Hill. Our concept was to draw attention deep into the space, encouraging visitors to enter off the street.
The challenge was to work with (and within) a partial remodel left behind from an earlier tenant improvement: a partial-height wall, and a three-foot drop dividing the back of the space from the front.
To keep construction costs low, we incorporated this existing condition into the design rather than tearing it out. We replaced the partial-height wall with an open railing, and developed an eye-catching point of sale comprised of a walnut, wood slat canopy, with a blue-stained wood accent backdrop to draw visitors into the space.
Working with Existing Challenges
With an existing wall blocking sidewalk visibility, this space posed challenges. But through innovative design, barriers became opportunities. Oasis Tea Zone Capitol Hill | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Working with Existing Challenges
With an existing wall blocking sidewalk visibility, this space posed challenges. But through innovative design, barriers became opportunities. Oasis Tea Zone Capitol Hill | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Simply Urban
Simple, exposed concrete walls create a clean, urban feel while providing an excellent backdrop for featured menus and products. Oasis Tea Zone Capitol Hill | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Simply Urban
Simple, exposed concrete walls create a clean, urban feel while providing an excellent backdrop for featured menus and products. Oasis Tea Zone Capitol Hill | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Novelty and Cohesion
Combining complimentary color schemes, natural wood, and urban aesthetics, cohesiveness and novelty coexist in this café. Oasis Tea Zone Capitol Hill | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Novelty and Cohesion
Combining complimentary color schemes, natural wood, and urban aesthetics, cohesiveness and novelty coexist in this café. Oasis Tea Zone Capitol Hill | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
The goal of the project was to not only create a successful space that sells bubble tea, but also to design a project that builds on the visual style of the neighborhood with a clean and simple material palette melding with the fresh aesthetic of Capitol Hill.
Another (truly eye-catching) point of visual interest in the space is a commissioned installation on the exposed concrete wall in the front seating area by the popular local art collective, Electric Coffin.
This 3D mural came out of the client’s inspiration of streetscapes and urban spaces, connecting the cafe to the neighborhood, and providing visitors with a strong visual graphic to associate with the space.
Local Artistry
Designed and fabricated by local art collective, Electric Coffin, this iconic 3D mural catches your eye, even from the sidewalk. Oasis Tea Zone Capitol Hill | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Local Artistry
Designed and fabricated by local art collective, Electric Coffin, this iconic 3D mural catches your eye, even from the sidewalk. Oasis Tea Zone Capitol Hill | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Rocket Man Installation
Drawing inspiration from streetscapes, urban spaces, and Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, the art piece embodies place and locality. Oasis Tea Zone Capitol Hill | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Rocket Man Installation
Drawing inspiration from streetscapes, urban spaces, and Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, the art piece embodies place and locality. Oasis Tea Zone Capitol Hill | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Oasis Tea Zone Capitol Hill
Opposite the striking installation, empty frames, all painted white, provide textural interest that doesn’t compete with the bright orange of the installation across the room. Oasis Tea Zone Capitol Hill | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Oasis Tea Zone Capitol Hill
Opposite the striking installation, empty frames, all painted white, provide textural interest that doesn’t compete with the bright orange of the installation across the room. Oasis Tea Zone Capitol Hill | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Point of Sale
The proprietors had concerns about the point of sale’s visibility in this space, given it is below street level. This bright, innovative design quelled their fears. Oasis Tea Zone Capitol Hill | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Point of Sale
The proprietors had concerns about the point of sale’s visibility in this space, given it is below street level. This bright, innovative design quelled their fears. Oasis Tea Zone Capitol Hill | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Wood Canopy
With a slanted wood canopy and a blue-stained wood backdrop, the point of sale forms a room within a room making it a clear destination. Oasis Tea Zone Capitol Hill | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Wood Canopy
With a slanted wood canopy and a blue-stained wood backdrop, the point of sale forms a room within a room making it a clear destination. Oasis Tea Zone Capitol Hill | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Banquette Seating
Adding bench seating along the partial height wall helps integrate it into the space more naturally. Oasis Tea Zone Capitol Hill | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Banquette Seating
Adding bench seating along the partial height wall helps integrate it into the space more naturally. Oasis Tea Zone Capitol Hill | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Limited Palette
Keeping the materials palette simple in areas that don’t need to attract attention helps draw the eye where it matters. Oasis Tea Zone Capitol Hill | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Limited Palette
Keeping the materials palette simple in areas that don’t need to attract attention helps draw the eye where it matters. Oasis Tea Zone Capitol Hill | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Layers of Detail
Enjoyable from a distance, up close the Rocket Man mural has even more to offer. Oasis Tea Zone Capitol Hill | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Layers of Detail
Enjoyable from a distance, up close the Rocket Man mural has even more to offer. Oasis Tea Zone Capitol Hill | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Soothing Blue
The eye-catching blue wash at the point of sale beautifully contrasts with the natural wood finishes, and complements the bright orange of the statement art on the upper level. Oasis Tea Zone Capitol Hill | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Soothing Blue
The eye-catching blue wash at the point of sale beautifully contrasts with the natural wood finishes, and complements the bright orange of the statement art on the upper level. Oasis Tea Zone Capitol Hill | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Client Review
“I am a small cafe owner with a few locations in the Seattle area. I hired Jeff and his team to work on the design of a new location and I couldn't be happier with the working relationship and the results! The team follows through on their commitments, designs around my budget, and their creativity is exactly what my business needed. We’ll be starting another much smaller project together soon and I'm glad to have found such a great team.”
View this review on Houzz.
Notes & Credits
Architecture and Interior Design by Board & Vellum..
Rocketman Installation by Electric Coffin.
Lighting Design Consultation by Luminous NW.
General Contracting by GMD Custom.
Photography by John G Wilbanks Photography.
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