In the heart of New York City’s East Village, Kuppi Coffee Company‘s second location stands out with its intentionally unfinished appearance. Designed by Brooklyn studio Commoncraft, the cafe exudes a sense of wabi-sabi – the Japanese art of finding beauty in imperfection. Distressed concrete, rowlock bricks, and worn plasterwork come together to create a unique and inviting space on bustling St Marks Place.
The 350-square-foot cafe is a compact yet well-thought-out space, with just enough room for a customer area, cafe counter, prep area, and staff WC at the back. Commoncraft’s design philosophy shines through in every detail, from the textured concrete plaster that curves up the walls and ceiling to the terracotta bricks stacked in rowlock courses to expose their raw cores.
Small touches like the faintly applied Kuppi logo, stainless-steel shelves, and floating pendant lights add to the overall charm of the cafe. The fully glazed facade allows passersby to catch a glimpse of the cozy interior, drawing them in with its unique aesthetic.
Commoncraft’s founders, Zach Cohen and Tony-Saba Shiber, have truly captured the essence of imperfect beauty in Kuppi Cafe. The space is a testament to their commitment to using raw and rough materials to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for coffee lovers in Manhattan.
With its focus on material honesty and attention to detail, Kuppi Cafe is more than just a place to grab a cup of coffee – it’s a work of art that celebrates the beauty of imperfection.