Project: VERDIN Specialty Coffee Shop
Architecture: OHIO Estudio
Project Team: Felicitas Navia, Catalina Delvecchio, Mora Córdoba
Constrution: Gonzalo Obes, Andrés Gervasio
Location: Colegiales, Ciudad autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Area: 100 m2
Year: 2021
Photo Credits: Fiona Gonzalez Devoto
Nestled in Buenos Aires’ vibrant Colegiales neighborhood, VERDIN Specialty Coffee Shop by OHIO Estudio creates a sensory oasis that celebrates both specialty coffee and plant-based pastries. From its desaturated green façade to its terracotta limestone floors, every design choice reflects VERDIN’s commitment to environmental respect and organic living.
A Calming Palette and Organic Forms
Firstly, the coffee shop’s signature color—soft, muted green—unifies interior and exterior walls, instantly conveying freshness and tranquility. In addition, the terracotta limestone floor features smooth, curved lines that double as seating on the ground level and planters on the terrace. Consequently, visitors feel immersed in a living, breathing space where architecture and nature coexist.
Lush Landscaping and Functional Greenery
Moreover, landscaping plays a pivotal role in VERDIN’s design. On the terrace, custom planters host native species that promote local biodiversity. Simultaneously, recessed niches in the triple-height wall conceal an integrated irrigation system, allowing vertical greenery to flourish year-round. As a result, the shop offers a vibrant backdrop for customers to unwind and connect with the outdoors.
Thoughtful Materiality and Craftsmanship
Meanwhile, OHIO Estudio balanced durability with warmth by combining dark green iron elements with accents of guatambú wood. Consequently, the sturdy steel staircase—folded into organic platforms—becomes both a sculptural centerpiece and impromptu seating. Likewise, the foldable glass take-away window streamlines service while maintaining visual transparency between baristas and patrons.
Versatile Spaces for Every Moment
Inside, a ground-floor salon welcomes guests with intimate seating areas formed by the limestone curves. Upstairs, a mezzanine lounge and bar overlook the verdant triple-height volume, creating a relaxed atmosphere. Furthermore, work tables and terraces—one opening to the street and another facing a private courtyard—offer versatile spots to savor coffee, work remotely, or simply pause from the city’s rush.
Ultimately, VERDIN Specialty Coffee Shop embodies the idea that, like moss sprouting from cracks in the pavement, nature can thrive even in dense urban settings. By weaving color, organic forms, and living plants into every corner, OHIO Estudio has crafted a space that invites patrons to disconnect, recharge, and celebrate the beauty of sustainable design.
