The story of coffee in the Arabian Peninsula is nearly as old as the beverage itself. Originating in Ethiopia, coffee was introduced to Yemen and gradually spread throughout the Arab world, where it became a cornerstone of social and cultural life in the Arab world. Elixir Bunn emerged as part of a pioneering movement to reinterpret these deep-rooted traditions within the contemporary social landscape of the modern Arab world.
Elixir Bunn was founded with a mission to craft distinctive coffee experiences by sourcing premium beans from Latin America and Africa. Recognizing coffee as a vital part of daily life for millions in Saudi Arabia, the company remains committed to enhancing this experience through a deep dedication to quality, innovation, and craftsmanship. Each step, from bean selection to final brew, is treated as an opportunity to deliver sensory delight and cultural resonance.
Al-A’arid is a rapidly developing district in northern Riyadh, emblematic of the city’s broader vision for intentional, forward-looking urban growth. Strategically positioned along major thoroughfares, the area offers a thoughtful blend of accessibility, green public spaces, and modern amenities. As Riyadh continues to evolve into a more livable, people-centric metropolis, Al-Aarid distinguishes itself through its community-focused character and emerging cultural hubs. This makes it an ideal setting for a headquarters that merges experience, creativity, and well-being within the city’s dynamic urban fabric.
.jpg)
The project spans an area of 1,085 m². Bricklab was commissioned to carry out the complete rehabilitation of the existing structure. The design responds to Elixir Bunn’s values by creating a space where neighborhood residents and visitors can come together to connect through the rituals and processes of coffee-making at a fundamental level. The headquarters accommodates a diverse set of functions, including a multipurpose hall, café, events space, barista training facility, and administrative offices.
The headquarters is housed in a retrofitted warehouse, reimagined to support the multifunctional program. A core innovation in the design is the use of coffee chaff, a byproduct of the roasting process, repurposed into custom polycarbonate panels. These panels are prominently used in the interior atrium, which spatially and visually links the building’s various functions while forming an extension of the café.
At the heart of this atrium is a living coffee tree, serving as a symbolic and literal focal point that anchors the entire space. This element not only emphasizes the botanical origins of coffee but also creates a unique microclimate and sensory experience.
As part of Elixir Bunn’s social and educational programming, the headquarters interior tells the full life cycle of coffee, from soil composition and cultivation through harvesting, roasting, and brewing. Each design element references a stage of this process, creating a narrative-driven spatial experience for visitors and staff alike.
The adaptive reuse of the warehouse is functionally divided into two main zones. One half houses the roastery, responsible for producing beans for Elixir Bunn’s other retail locations. The other half accommodates offices, a training facility for baristas, and a public café. The café is envisioned as a “third place”, a space beyond home and work, where residents of the Al-A’arid neighborhood can gather informally, fostering community interaction and cultural engagement.
