Lackawanna Coffee by Inaba Williams Architects: A Bold Architectural Statement in Jersey City

Lackawanna Coffee, designed by Inaba Williams Architects, is an immersive café experience where monumental forms and striking design elements define the space. Located in Jersey City, United States, this 1,000-square-foot coffee shop blends bold geometric shapes, vibrant material contrasts, and innovative lighting techniques to create a dynamic, modern interior.

Architectural Concept and Interior Design

At the heart of the café are four imposing 22-foot-tall columns, each featuring a unique interplay of smaller, engaged columns that create an undulating vertical profile. These structural elements emphasize the double-height space, giving the café an expansive and airy ambiance.

The design is anchored by large-scale statement pieces that enhance the interior’s sculptural quality. Among them:

• A butter-colored table measuring 8 feet in diameter, serving as a central focal point.
• A 24-foot-long light blue counter, adding a sleek yet inviting contrast.
• Deep red millwork in the kitchen, creating a striking visual depth.

Materiality and Lighting

Lackawanna Coffee’s design incorporates layered materials, prismatic effects, and custom lighting solutions that transform the way visitors interact with the space. The blue display shelves, for instance, are illuminated from above, allowing light to pass through their translucent finish and cast shifting shadows beneath. This subtle detail reveals the silhouettes of the objects on display, enhancing the café’s artistic and gallery-like ambiance.

Adjacent to these shelves is the ‘Cold Niche’, a bentwood 9-foot curved facade that elegantly houses refrigerated products. Completing the design is the pastry case, a luminous showpiece constructed from milky red 2.5-inch-thick walls, backlit glass shelves, and refined brass fixtures, ensuring that every detail enhances both aesthetics and function.

A Coffee Shop as a Sculptural Experience

Through its bold architectural gestures and curated material palette, Lackawanna Coffee stands out as more than just a café—it is an immersive spatial experience that blends modern design, color theory, and architectural innovation. The project demonstrates Inaba Williams Architects’ commitment to creating spaces that challenge conventional design while offering a welcoming and visually engaging environment.

All Photographs are works of Naho Kubota