Yuko Nagayama & Associates Design the AOI CELESTIE Coffee Roastery
Kalin Ned — July 8, 2025 — Art & Design
References: archdaily
The AOI CELESTIE Coffee Roastery by Yuko Nagayama & Associates represents a thoughtful architectural intervention that transforms a bustling urban corner in Nagoya into a serene oasis for the celebration of coffee culture and community engagement. Situated at a prominent intersection near Nagoya Shinsakae-machi Station, this 690-square-meter mixed-use facility combines a specialty coffee roastery with multi-level café spaces and an underground event hall.
The design's most striking feature is its expansive, floating roof clad in custom Tajimi tiles with a distinctive blue gradient that mimics the changing sky. These architectural sensibilities serve both as a visual landmark and a functional element that channels rainwater into the central courtyard garden.
The AOI CELESTIE Coffee Roastery's spatial organization creates a carefully choreographed experience — from the ground-floor roastery and sunken seating areas that engage with street life, to the olive tree-shaded second-floor lounge, and culminating in the intimate third-floor bar that offers panoramic views of both the interior atrium and exterior cityscape.
Image Credit: Nobutada OMOTE
The design's most striking feature is its expansive, floating roof clad in custom Tajimi tiles with a distinctive blue gradient that mimics the changing sky. These architectural sensibilities serve both as a visual landmark and a functional element that channels rainwater into the central courtyard garden.
The AOI CELESTIE Coffee Roastery's spatial organization creates a carefully choreographed experience — from the ground-floor roastery and sunken seating areas that engage with street life, to the olive tree-shaded second-floor lounge, and culminating in the intimate third-floor bar that offers panoramic views of both the interior atrium and exterior cityscape.
Image Credit: Nobutada OMOTE
Trend Themes
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Biophilic Architecture — Incorporating natural elements like the central courtyard garden and olive trees integrates biophilic design into urban settings, enhancing customer well-being and environmental interaction.
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Multi-level Retail Spaces — The use of multi-level café spaces in architectural designs optimizes limited urban land while offering diverse customer experiences and maximizing venue functionality.
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Transformative Roof Designs — Floating roofs with unique cladding, like those using custom Tajimi tiles, serve as visual landmarks and provide sustainability through functional water management.
Industry Implications
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Specialty Coffee Roasteries — Combining coffee production and consumption in a single venue, specialty coffee roasteries are becoming community hubs that enhance consumer engagement and local culture.
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Urban Architectural Design — Innovative urban architecture that integrates mixed-use facilities is redefining city landscapes by creating multifunctional spaces adaptive to modern lifestyle demands.
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Event and Meeting Spaces — Underground event halls in commercial structures offer unique venues for corporate and community gatherings, driving new opportunities for private and public events.
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