The exterior of the new Starbucks location in Union Market
Source: Starbucks
starbucks has unveiled a new store design focused on accessibility and inclusivity, with new lighting fixtures and open floor plans.
The coffee giant opened the first location with the new design on Friday at Union Market in Washington, DC.
“Designing for people with disabilities is simply good design for everyone,” said Sara Trilling, president of Starbucks North America.
He added that designing a more accessible coffee shop took about two years and that the company sought input from Starbucks baristas.
Starbucks designed the store to have an obstacle-free path for customers.
Source: Starbucks
The Union Market cafe has electric doors so customers can make less effort to enter the cafe. Once inside, they can place their orders with baristas using a new point-of-sale system that has an adjustable angle stand, voice assistance, screen magnification and photos of menu items.
“Imagine someone who doesn't speak English as their first language and you try to make sure you understand them. [the order] correct and providing great service. You'll have the opportunity through some visual cues to make those confirmations,” Trilling said.
The counters are also lower, making them more accessible, for example, for wheelchair users.
The store counters are lower, giving wheelchair users a better experience.
Source: Starbucks
Behind the counter, Starbucks' new Clover Vertica drip coffee brewing system has a more accessible design, with a large dial and prominent buttons.
“You can actually feel the settings by touching them or using the light to indicate when brewing cycles are complete and other things,” Trilling said.
Starbucks' new Clover Vertica brewing system features large dials and protruding buttons for easier use.
Source: Starbucks
Digital status boards show customers when their drinks are ready for pickup, plus baristas call out their names.
Starbucks also changed the store's lighting to minimize reflections, shadows and backlighting that can make it difficult to see. Insulation has also been improved, so the tents are not as noisy.
And Starbucks designed the general floor plan of the store to be clear of obstacles and have open sight lines.
All future company-owned locations will follow a similar framework. Starbucks plans to open more than 600 new stores this year, increasing its US presence by 4%, including licensed locations.
Store lighting is softer and insulation keeps noise levels lower.
Source: Starbucks
According to Trilling, building more accessible stores will not be materially more expensive than using current designs.
“I think it's something that will help us in terms of customer connection. It will help us in terms of employee engagement,” he said.
