Project: Blue Table Chocolates Workshop and Retail Space
Architecture: Arch&Type
Architects: Seth Amman, Adam McCullough
General Contractor: Pike Construction Services
Location: Buffalo, New York, United States
Area: 780 ft2
Year: 2022
Photo Credits: Kim Smith
In Buffalo, New York, a unique collaboration between local architects and artisan chocolatier Ben Johnson has brought to life Blue Table Chocolates, a 780-square-foot workshop and retail space that transforms the mundane into a celebration of chocolate and design. This project, spearheaded by Arch&Type, involved a diverse team of local craftsmen, designers, student interns, University at Buffalo colleagues, and even the firm owner’s family.
A Design Inspired by Chocolate
The inspiration for the space came from the image of untempered chocolate—golden, silky, and flowing. This vision was digitally modeled to create a striking ceiling, comprised of CNC-milled, hand-assembled, and painted pieces, that cascades through the room. Visible through the front window, this eye-catching feature draws customers inside, guiding their gaze across lime-washed walls and meticulously crafted white-oak millwork. Custom-made mirrored displays present the chocolate as if it were art in a gallery, while a frameless plaster door with a brass base seamlessly blends into the walls, directing focus towards the workshop areas where community classes and production take place.
A Collaborative Effort
Despite the challenges of working with limited resources, the project showcases how collaboration and innovative design can elevate a generic space into something extraordinary. The custom millwork, a highlight of the design, was the result of a collaboration between the architect’s father, a skilled craftsman and chemist, and one of the firm’s designers. Student interns from the University’s digital fabrication lab brought the ceiling to life, using a combination of robotic precision and handcraft. Additionally, Buffalo Niagara Weldworks, experts in metalwork, contributed to the project by creating the mirrored display dishes and brass detailing, adding a layer of sophistication to the space.
A Space That Defies Convention
Blue Table Chocolates stands out as a testament to the power of local collaboration and innovative design practices. The result is a space that, while unmistakably rooted in Buffalo, breaks away from the traditional architectural elements commonly seen in the region. The project demonstrates how a large, dedicated team can blend digital and physical methods to transform a shared vision into reality, celebrating both the art of chocolate and architectural craft.
Conclusion
Blue Table Chocolates by Arch&Type is more than just a retail space; it’s an immersive experience that reflects the creativity and skill of a community coming together. Through its innovative design and meticulous craftsmanship, the space offers customers a sensory journey, elevating the simple act of buying chocolate into an artful and engaging event. This project is a shining example of how thoughtful design can turn a small space into a place of wonder and delight.
