There’s an entire cottage industry of 3D printed coffee accessories. If you can dream it, plastic filament (or maybe even spent coffee grounds) can bring it to life. Tampers, AeroPress accessories, you name it. Brewista even released a whole line of free 3D printables a few years back. But never one to be outdone, Starbucks said “holy my orange mocha Frappuccino” and 3D printed an entire damn store.
As reported by New Atlas, the new storefront is located in Brownsville, Texas and is the first 3D printed Starbucks in the United States. The cafe is relatively small, only 1,400 square feet, and only offers pickup and drive-thru; there is no available seating for folks to hang around.
Opened earlier this week, the building was created by German firm Peri 3D Construction and definitely has a 3D printed look to it. It is made up of a “cement-like mixture” applied in layers by a robotic extruder using a pre-loaded blueprint. With the main structure completed, workers then went in and added the finishing touches: windows, a patio, the finish out, etc.
The reaction to the new Starbucks has been, let’s say, mixed thus far. Most folks don’t seem to appreciate Brutalist architecture or they hate “woke” coffee. Some just wanted a Dutch Bros.
I’m not as down on the building as they are though. I don’t think it looks half bad. Though there is a certain je ne sais quoi to Starbucks toying the with ability to mass produce buildings seemingly overnight. It’s maybe a little too on brand.
Zac Cadwalader is the managing editor at Sprudge Media Network and a staff writer based in Dallas. Read more Zac Cadwalader on Sprudge.
Top image via City of Brownsville, TX – Municipal Government
