Research-N

Paler | Perialde | Ting

A Study on the Architectural Components of

Renowned Coffee Shops in Cebu

I. Introduction

Rationale of the Study

Coffee shops (also known as coffeehouses or cafs) are small, informal restaurants serving

snacks, light refreshments and most importantly, coffee. The term caf was adopted by the

English language in the 19th century from the same French word which means coffee or coffee

house (Oxford Dictionaries, 1989). Contrary to popular belief that coffee shops originated in

Europe, they had actually first made appearance in Mecca and later in Europe (Standage, 2006).

Coffee shops are now widely popular in all countries. Cafs are present almost everywhere

and more often than not, trademark coffee shops are always fully occupied with people that stay

to study or work. Although these shops are known to serve snacks and beverages, people always

seem to stay longer even after they consume their orders.

Each coffee shop has different elements in each architectural component which makes it

distinct and unique. Most coffee shops have a theme in which they relate these elements to. For

this study, the components that will be considered are the coffee shops physical characteristics

and design features, lighting set-ups, color schemes, acoustics and type of ventilation used.

It is important to study the physical characteristics and design features that make up a

successful coffee shop because it is what makes the area unique and different from other spaces.

Features like furniture layout should be studied so that the readers can get an idea of the kinds of

arrangements that work, enhance the aesthetic of the coffee shop and give an illusion of

spaciousness. Wall finishes and room decor are also key elements which liven up and personalize

a certain space (Waxman, 2006).

Studying the lighting fixtures and set-ups are important because it can help in the proper

application of providing adequate lighting in a certain space. Lighting is essential because it causes

visibility of objects and enables color vision. Lighting can also set the mood to a certain space,
with the variations in color and brightness (Descottes, 2011). The lighting set-ups used in

successful coffee shops should be studied so that they can be applied in future designs.

Color is another important architectural component in this study. It is what really catches

the eyes at first glance. Like light, colors can also set the mood to a certain space. Color psychology

also plays a major role in the selection of colors to be used in a space. The color schemes used in

successful coffee shops should be studied because they could be one of the key factors which will

make the space attractive and inviting (Eiseman & Recker, 2011).

The acoustics of a coffee shop should be studied because it enhances the quality of the

space, and therefore making it an ideal place for lounging and casually talking. Sounds will either

be too loud and articulated or unintelligible if acoustics is not properly studied and applied. The

correct application of acoustics in a coffee shop is so important for efficiency in speech as well as

hearing (Waxman, 2006). A study made in 2006 even proved that sounds made in a coffee shop

(together with its ambience) encourage people to focus more on their work.

The ventilation technique used in a coffee shop is also important in this study. The level of

comfort and circulation of quality air is significant because it also contributes to the overall

efficiency of the space. Of course, natural ventilation would be very much more appreciated in

terms of sustainability and energy consumption, however artificial ventilation is more commonly

used in countries with a hot climate like the Philippines. Furthermore, temperature and wind speed

is easily controlled with mechanical systems.

It is important to study these architectural components because they contribute to the

overall atmosphere and ambience of coffee shops. Determining the different elements under these

architectural components will be beneficial to study for future uses in the related fields. The

observations and results regarding the architectural components will shed a light on what makes

coffee shops inviting for customers who regularly study or work there.
Statement of the Problem

Coffee shops always have customers that not only purchase snacks and beverages, but also

stay for its ambience. The researchers want to know which elements under determined

architectural components make people flock to these more than often, fully-occupied, renowned

coffee shops. The architectural components, particularly the elements, will be studied.

Specifically, the following questions will be answered:

1. What particular characteristics and design features attract people and cause them to feel

attachment to renowned coffee shops in Cebu?

2. What are the different set-ups for lighting in the coffee shops?

3. What are the different color schemes used in the coffee shops?

4. What are the different acoustic elements used in the coffee shops?

5. How is ventilation achieved inside the coffee shops?

Aims and Specific Objectives

1. To determine the list of characteristics and design features which cause people to feel

attachment to the renowned coffee shops in Cebu

2. To make a reflected ceiling layout of the different set-ups for lighting in the coffee

shops

3. To make a swatch board of the color schemes used in the coffee shops

4. To identify different physical elements of architectural acoustics applied in the coffee

shops

5. To identify the type of ventilation technique used in the coffee shop

Significance of the Study

This study is significant for the people that are the involved in the studying, planning,

designing and building of coffee shops. The data gathered in this research will benefit and guide

future coffee shop owners, planners, architects, interior designers and students of related fields in

their endeavors to design an efficient and successful coffee shop.

To Coffee Shop Owners

Coffee shop owners and future owners alike can benefit from this study such that they can

read information about how successful coffee shops were planned and designed. Even if they are
not exposed to the architectural and technical aspects of this study, they will still be able to

understand and grasp some of the data that will be presented in this paper. This will serve as a

guide for them when they consult architects and interior designers before the actual planning of

their coffee shop.

To Planners, Architects and Interior Designers

Planners, architects and interior designers can use this study as a guide for planning

successful coffee shops. The technical aspects of this study is strongly related to their field of

profession, with results and conclusions that they can apply when they start planning and designing

a coffee shop.

To Architecture and Interior Design Students

This study is beneficial for students in the field of architecture and interior design such that

they can read up on how to plan coffee shops with an excellent design. They can also use this study

as a stepping stone for future research on the same topic, and they can use the data on this paper

for comparison of results or validation their own research data.

Scope and Limitations

This research solely focuses on the architectural components of a coffee shop. It does not

study about other aspects which go beyond the study of characteristics and design features, lighting

set-ups, color schemes, architectural acoustics and good ventilation of a successful coffee shop. It

should also be noted that only renowned coffee shops in Cebu such as Starbucks, Bos Coffee and

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf will be considered and examined for this study. All the coffee shops

aforementioned are all located in Cebu and the researchers will not venture outside their local city.

Furthermore, the researchers will only visit one branch for each coffee shop. This study will be

done in 2017 and will be completed within the 1st semester of the S.Y. 2017-2018.
Conceptual Framework

Renowned Coffee Shops

in Cebu

Architectural Components
Characteristics and Ventilation
Design Features Techniques

Lighting Color Acoustics

Set-ups Schemes

Furniture
Identification:
Layout
Natural or
Wall / Ceiling
Artificial
Finishes
Ventilation
Room Decor Reflected Identification
Swatch
Ceiling of Physical
Board
Layout Elements

Assumptions

Based on the researchers knowledge and understanding of coffee shops, the walls and

ceiling design are most usually designed to attract the attention of the customers. Gazing at

wallpaper or textured finishes always keep idle customers occupied, especially while waiting for

orders to arrive. The colors usually used in coffee shops are of bright, warmer tones because they

tend to set the professional yet comfortable mood. The color schemes used in coffee shops are

mostly from coffee-related palettes with colors including shades of white, light to dark browns and

an accent unique to each coffee shop which relates to their theme. Depending on the people

occupying the coffee shops, the level of noise can range from soft to loud. Some coffee shops play

music in the background, just enough to be audible and relaxing. Based on the more well-known

existing coffee shops in Cebu, the ventilation is usually achieved by using mechanical systems

such as air-conditioners.
Definition of Terms

Acoustics the properties or qualities of a room which determines how sound travels in it

Architecture the art and science of planning, designing and building of structures

Artificial Ventilation the supply process and circulation of air in an enclosed space with

the use of mechanical systems

Coffee Shop refers to the independent variable of the research topic. It is a small

restaurant that serves coffee and other drinks as well as simple foods

Color Schemes choice of colors used in design for a range of media

Design Features qualities of a design (of a room or area)

Furniture Layout the arrangement of furniture with regards to a space and its function

Interior Design the art of planning how a room should be designed and furnished

Lighting Set-up arrangement of fixtures and quality of lighting in a space

Natural Ventilation the supply process and circulation of air in an indoor space without

using mechanical systems

Place Attachment the personal attachment or bond between a person and a place

Reflected Ceiling Layout an architectural plan which shows the ceiling design and kind

of lights used

Room Dcor small decorations and details which add to the theme of a space

Swatch Board a board that samples the fabrics used in a design

Wall Finish refers to how a wall is treated in terms of its material and style
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