Modern III

Clay St, Oakland, CA

Arcsine has enjoyed a strong relationship with Modern Coffee for many years. Their friendly service, great coffee and welcoming space across the street from our office has kept us coming back daily. When asked to design their second location on 19th Street, we were tasked with developing an aesthetic that was modern yet relaxed – somewhere you would just as happily sit down with a client as you would a friend. Playing off this design language for their third location on Clay Street, we wanted the space to be warm and representative of the community that Modern has formed in Downtown Oakland. We incorporated simple materials like polished concrete floors, natural wood and white walls, and an elevated shelving display behind the barista station, built by a local fabricator.

The space is decorated with art and details from various local vendors and friends. On the back-bar display sits a “COFFEE” sign designed by Sam O’Leary,  who has collaborated closely with Modern as branding designer for the past seven years. The main wall is decorated with a minimal, yet colorful mural painted by local artist Kelly Ording.  Accessories like salvaged light fixtures and a retro looking sound system add a touch of spunk to a clean, contemporary aesthetic.