Starbucks Taiwan has opened a store made entirely of shipping containers in Hualien Bay Mall.
The 29 containers have been stacked as building blocks designed to resemble the uneven foliage of a coffee bush at the yet-to-open mall that will launch as a tourist spot with views of the Pacific.
The new Starbucks Taiwan cafe is constructed following the “Starbucks Greener Stores” initiative for sustainable store building using reclaimable materials and green design principles. The interior features a large mural celebrating the aboriginal Amis people of Hualien.
According to the brand’s press release, “The stacking of the shipping containers created a much taller space and provides natural sunlight throughout the various skylights found throughout the structure.”
Starbucks has now opened 40 locations built from shipping containers. This 320sqm structure is the first to be designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, known for his reinterpretation of traditional styles. Kuma has designed multiple iconic locations for Starbucks.