Worldwide Starbucks Store Designs You Should See

If you’ve ever walked into a Starbucks and thought, ‘This could be anywhere,’ you’re not alone. But around the world, Starbucks has built strikingly different locations — some libraries, some forests made of wood, others housed in shipping containers. These aren’t your average cafes. They’re experiments in design, sustainability, and storytelling.

From Tokyo’s bookish coffee haven to a tiny LEED-certified drive-thru in Colorado, we’ve collected 10 of the most distinctive Starbucks stores worldwide — each with exact details on materials, layouts, and design intent.

Tokyo: Starbucks Library of Coffee

In Tokyo, Japanese design studio Nendo created a Starbucks called the “Espresso Journey,” styled like a library. The space features floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled with small coffee-colored booklets on ivory white shelves, echoing vintage flooring tones.

These aren’t just for show. There are nine booklets, each color-coded and themed around a coffee drink — such as latte, cappuccino, or mocha. Customers choose a booklet to explore their taste preferences and can exchange it for the corresponding drink. The interactive layout turns reading into part of the coffee experience.

Fukuoka: 4.4 km of Wooden Sticks

Architect Kengo Kuma designed a Starbucks in Fukuoka using 2,000 wooden sticks. Each stick measures between 1.3 to 4 meters in length, with a 6 cm cross-section. The total length of all wooden elements reaches 4.4 kilometers.

The sticks are arranged in a complex diagonal weave, creating dynamic directionality and movement throughout the space. This intricate arrangement gives the café a distinct visual rhythm and texture, turning it into an architectural landmark.

Seattle: The Original Coffee Container

At Starbucks’ headquarters in Washington State, the company repurposed a recycled shipping container into its first eco-friendly store. Covering roughly 41.4 square meters, the compact container offers a minimalist yet functional coffee shop experience right by the harbor.

This early example of upcycled retail design shows Starbucks experimenting with sustainable formats long before they became mainstream.

Zurich & Bangkok: Local Material Stories

In Zurich and Bangkok, Starbucks locations highlight regional materials and craftsmanship. Though details vary, both stores reflect local aesthetic values while maintaining the global Starbucks identity. These stores adapt their visuals and spatial language to fit their cities.

Xi’an, Amsterdam, and Beyond: Cultural Fusion

In Xi’an and Amsterdam, Starbucks dives into cultural storytelling. The Amsterdam location uses Dutch oak, recycled wood paneling, and even repurposed bicycle inner tubes for decor. Its “coffee theatre” layout layers the space to spotlight baristas, brewing tools, and coffee rituals in a performance-like setting.

Xi’an’s design, though not detailed here, similarly integrates regional influences into the Starbucks format.

Dubai, Colorado, and Unique Builds

In Dubai, Starbucks offers another example of luxury-scale design adapted to local tastes. Meanwhile, in Northglenn, Colorado, a highly unusual Starbucks location stands out: it’s factory-built, truck-delivered, and LEED-certified. This drive-thru-only outlet spans just enough space for 3–5 staff and machines, with no indoor seating, power outlets, or Wi-Fi — operating just like a McDonald’s drive-thru.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Starbucks store in Tokyo designed by Nendo called?

The Tokyo Starbucks designed by Nendo is called the “Starbucks Espresso Journey.” It’s styled as a library with ivory floors and coffee-colored booklets that teach customers about drinks like lattes and cappuccinos through color coding.

How many wooden sticks are used in the Fukuoka Starbucks by Kengo Kuma?

The Fukuoka Starbucks designed by Kengo Kuma uses 2,000 wooden sticks. Each stick ranges from 1.3 to 4 meters in length with a 6 cm cross-section, totaling 4.4 kilometers of wood arranged in a diagonal weave.

What makes the Starbucks in Amsterdam unique?

The Amsterdam Starbucks features Dutch oak ceilings, walls decorated with recycled bicycle inner tubes and wood, and a concept called “coffee theatre” — a multi-layered space designed to showcase barista skills and brewing equipment as a performance.

Is there a Starbucks made from a shipping container?

Yes, Starbucks opened one of the first eco-friendly stores in the U.S. at its Seattle headquarters using a recycled shipping container. The compact 41.4-square-meter cafe offers harbor views and a minimal, sustainable design.

What is special about the Colorado Starbucks?

The Northglenn, Colorado Starbucks is factory-built, truck-delivered, and LEED-certified. It operates as a drive-thru-only location with space for 3–5 staff, no indoor seating, and no free amenities like electricity or Wi-Fi.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Coffee Shop Experiences

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