A Contemporary Turkish Coffeehouse Design Based on Historic Traditions

The custom of coffee drinking in Turkey dates back to the sixteenth century coffeehouses of Istanbul, which were once important forums for community integration. Even though coffee drinking today is still an important custom in Turkey, traditional coffeehouses have lost their importance in urban areas and are rapidly being replaced by contemporary cafes that promote European themes. With the new generation placing less emphasis on traditional values and accepting a modernized lifestyle, the existence of Turkish coffeehouse culture is struggling to survive.

The purpose of this thesis project was to develop a design concept for a contemporary Turkish coffeehouse franchise retaining important aspects of the traditional coffeehouses of the past. Historic features were identified through observations and visual recordings of historic Turkish coffeehouses and interviews with older patrons of traditional coffeehouses. Focus group discussions were held with graduate and undergraduate Turkish students enrolled at Virginia Tech to obtain information on their perceptions of traditional coffeehouses and responses to the idea of a contemporary coffeehouse. Based on the information gathered, design criteria were established for the design of individual coffeehouse components with a consistent image, adaptable to various sites and spaces. Coffeehouse logo, nameplate, and facade designs were proposed. Presentations for the design included detailed elevations, plans, sketches, and perspective views.