The Design and Architecture of Back2Back Coffee & Space

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Hello everyone
How are you today ? I hope and pray, we are all always given health and also happiness in living this life. I am very happy, amidst my busy life and running a small business, I still have the time and opportunity to participate and contribute again to the Architecture+Design Community to share stories about my experiences and impressions of the design or architecture of a building that I visited.

One of the buildings that I often review and write about is about coffee shops. Since then and until now, coffee shops as a business have always been interesting to discuss. From the concept of dine in, take and go, to the coffee shop turning into an open space. Coffee shops always give expiration and interesting vibes to visit.

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Back2Back Coffee & Space
Some time ago, I was looking for a coffee shop to work there. I look several references from Google maps and Instagram to get recommendations for coffee shops that have open spaces and are also suitable for work from coffee shops. I also want to go to a new coffee shop that is also not far from where I live. After searching, I found a coffee shop that I have never been to and which is also close to my house, namely Back2Back Coffee & Space.

Back2Back Coffee & Space is a coffee shop located at Sei Putih Baru no. 29 Medan Baru District, Medan City. From the info on Instagram, Back2Back Coffee & Space is a coffee shop that just opened during the middle of the pandemic in 2021 and is still surviving today. The location of this coffee shop is very strategic because it is close to several campuses, schools and offices.

I come to this coffee shop at two in the afternoon. The situation looked crowded, because I saw that there were already three or four cars parked around this coffee shop. This coffee shop is quite this because it's like a hidden building. There is only one billboard of the names of the two coffees, and even then it is not very visible. I think, the design of the front with this not too flashy concept will make it difficult for visitors to find it.

The entrance to this coffee shop is one alley with a concrete walkway. On the right, we will see a wall with an exposed brick concept which also functions as the wall fence of this coffee shop. These exposed brick walls give a natural and relaxed feel to this building.

Meanwhile, on the left side of the path. We will see the building of this coffee shop and also some plants in the front. From my observation, the plants in that area seem to grow irregularly or not maintained. I don't know, whether the concept is like that or because it is not maintained properly.

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Open Space
Entering the inner area, we will see a semi-outdoor building with a coffee bar and seats. The semi-outdoor area of Back2Back Coffee & Space is one of the attractions of this coffee shop. Many visitors like this place and choose to sit here.

In this building, we will also see a coffee bar and an ordering table for these two coffee shops. The coffee bar is designed in a minimalist design with white tiles around it. The coffee bar design also really supports the concept and vibes of Back2Back Coffee & Space.

One impression I get when I see this open space is homey vibes. Let's see, a semi-outdoor area surrounded by a wall fence with an exposed brick concept. Meanwhile, we will also see some green plants that surround this place, making it feel homey and feel very cool.

The concept of open buildings like this is designed to provide good wind circulation. In addition, visitors are also free to smoke in this area. Back2Back Coffee & Space also continues to design this building with a fan that is used during hot days. One more thing, with a semi-outdoor concept like this, coffee shops don't need to turn the lights on or make additional lighting

For the furniture design in this area, Back2Back Coffee & Space uses minimalist tables and chairs made of wood and iron frames. One table is equipped with four chairs, from the seating concept, we know that this coffee shop is designed for group or communal activities.

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Outdoor Space from Back2Back Coffee & Space

This coffee shop also has an outdoor area. The outdoor space from Back2Back Coffee & Space has an industrial garden design. The combination of green plants such as palms and elongated benches made of concrete makes the outdoor space of this café feel very comfortable and friendly.

I also like the selected furniture. Apart from concrete benches, Back2Back Coffee & Space also uses tables and chairs made of iron with black anti-rust paint. Furniture like this is very suitable in outdoor areas because it will withstand extreme weather changes such as heat and rain.

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Indoor Space or VIP Room

Next, I invite my friends to see the Indoor Space or VIP Room from these two coffees. When we enter this room, we will feel different vibes from the semi-outdoor or outdoor area of this coffee shop.

The indoor space from Back2Back Coffee & Space is designed in a modern minimalist style. The design of the room is very suitable for those of us who want to work, study or concentrate. Apart from the good design and concept, the air conditioner also works very well so that in this indoor room it feels very cool.

This indoor building uses glass walls that are used around it. This glass wall gives us a wider visibility experience and looks brighter. Apart from that, this transparent glass wall allows us to see the exposed brick fence which is the trade mark of this coffee shop. I myself, feel very comfortable in this room.

Apart from glass walls, this VIP room also uses a lot of wooden ornaments or wood colors. We will see it on the floor and also the roof of this place. Wood color always manages to give a clean, simple and homey impression. Back2Back Coffee & Space also put some potted plants to add to the interior and also give a green impression in this room.

We can also see the consistency of wood color from the selection of furniture. The tables and chairs use wood with an iron frame. In contrast to the iron frame in the semi-outdoor room, in the VIP Room the iron frame of the furniture uses white paint so it looks more aesthetic and fits in the indoor room.

So, maybe that's all my story this time. Keep watching my posts next time.

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