Drop Coffee has unveiled its second location in the Dar Al Wasl Mall in Dubai. The coffee shop features a striking, restrained design scheme by locally based Roar Studio.
Accessible through the mall as well as from the street, the minimalist space is anchored by a central bar with an illuminated skirting composed of glass blocks. Durable surfaces—such as stainless steel countertops that mirror exposed ceiling decks—add levity, while freestanding tables are paired with seating options that gently infuse a dash of color inspired by the roasting process. Mixed tones of rusted brown and dark terracotta punctuate the terrazzo floor tiles alongside light oak wood elements and concrete paint finishes.
“The client had this idea that each of the different branches would be associated with its own specific color,” says Roar Studio founder and creative director Pallavi Dean. “For this location, the color of choice was burned orange, which can be seen on the La Cividina sofa as you enter the space as well as on the clamp-style coffee tables we created for customers to have a quick shot of espresso while standing up.”
Adjacent to the standing area, a wall of glass blocks is constructed to enclose a small kitchen and allow natural light to pour into the café. Additional ornamentation abounds in the form of broken white tiles installed on the walls above the banquette. “The idea of the wall piece directly stemmed from the terrazzo floor as though the leftovers from the tiles had been imprinted on the wall before being chipped away,” adds Dean. “We wanted the interior concept to be consistent throughout and for all the different elements to be streamlined and respond to one another.”
