JJ Bean Cafés

Location: Vancouver, BC
Client: JJ Bean
Completion: 2016
DIALOG Services: Architecture

Interior Design

Same smooth coffee, more than 20 intentionally different spaces around Vancouver and Toronto. Each JJ Bean location has a unique design story that's drawn from its building or the local community. Like the company, JJ Bean cafés seek to add value to neighbourhoods. Authentic representation of these 'hoods is a key element of the design. As a practice, DIALOG has been a part of the JJ Bean story from its inception to now. Each location is a little different, but is distinctly JJ Bean - and distinctly DIALOG.

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jjbean cafe cambie vancouver carousel 01 — Cambie St. Required structural upgrades enabled the designers to amplify the space of this long-standing neighbourhood general store.

jjbean cafe cambie vancouver carousel 02 — Light floods through large skylights and sliding patio doors. These doors blur the edges of interior / exterior and connect the shop with the community.

jjbean cafe cambie vancouver carousel 03 — The pre-existing and crumbling external wall and mural were important to the neighbourhood. The new wall bares colours pulled from the mural to pay homage to that visage.

jjbean cafe davie vancouver carousel 05 — Bidwell St. The shape of the windows of the heritage façade cued a response of the vaulted butterfly ceiling indoors. These emphasize both the size and texture of the space.

jjbean cafe davie vancouver carousel 06 — The shape of this shiny wall scoops in light from the windows and illuminates the room, while travertine stone walls and reclaimed timber create a balanced atmosphere.

N3 20140503 10408 Edit Dialog Bidwell ArnaldoRodriguezPhotography highresrgb — A more relaxed environment in Vancouver's West End.

jjbean cafe univeristy of british columbia vancouver carousel 07 — UBC Campus The UBC café provides an explorative space with space for both study and conversation. The ground floor services patrons for transient experiences and public engagement.

jjbean cafe univeristy of british columbia vancouver carousel 08 — The meandering circulation route is a metaphor for university life. Its non-linear path leads students through the different opportunities of respite.

jjbean cafe univeristy of british columbia vancouver carousel 09 — A wood-enclosed stair shroud leads to an adventurous upstairs with its variety of seating experiences.

ENG7813 original highresrgb v2 — Alberni St. This location reflects its urban setting, amongst office buildings and condo towers.

ENG7826 highresrgb — Sophisticated and refined upstairs seating.

N3 20130201 06997 Edit Dialog JJBean Marine Bld F N2 highresrgb — Marine Building Art Deco inspiration and design influences in the historic Marine Building.

N3 20130201 07023 Dialog JJBean Marine Bld F highresrgb — Sophisticated and sleek.

N3 20130201 07074 Dialog JJBean Marine Bld F N2 highresrgb — Two levels of seating, and room for meetings over coffee.

N3 20140801 01417 Edit Dialog 2014 Lonsdale JJBean ArnaldoRodriguezPhotography highresrgb — Lonsdale Ave. Tree trunks and blue backgrounds reflect the inspiration for this location: the nearby forests and ocean.

N3 20140801 01470 Dialog 2014 Lonsdale JJBean ArnaldoRodriguezPhotography highresrgb — The design team made the most of the long and narrow space.

JJ Bean Dunsmuir 1006 highresrgb — Dunsmuir St. The upscale décor of the Dunsmuir St. café is befitting its location in the heart of Vancouver's business district.

JJ Bean Dunsmuir 1002 highresrgb — Heavy structural elements add a unique industrial feeling that compliments the ornate finishes.

Meet The Team

We’ve been provided with a very rare opportunity to work with a single company and to form an integral part of their growth. Each of the 23 JJ Bean projects was recognizable as part of a single brand but distinct and clearly tailored to unique conditions.

Brady Dunlop, Principal-in-Charge