Case Study: Starbucks Reserve

Project Overview
When Starbucks Reserve set out to elevate their flagship location into a destination experience, they partnered with Wishbone Industrial Arts to help realize that vision in three dimensions. The collaboration centered around fabricating architectural elements and sculptural features that would not only support the functionality of the space, but become part of its identity—fixtures that speak to both the craft of coffee and the craft of making.

Scope of Work
Wishbone Industrial Arts was commissioned to design and fabricate a range of custom features that anchor and animate the Reserve environment:

• Monumental Entry Doors
  Acting as a portal between the Starbucks Reserve and the company’s global headquarters, these massive custom doors were engineered to make a statement. Crafted from hardwood and bronze inlay, they embody the scale and intentionality of the brand’s most ambitious spaces.

• Kinetic Coffee Card Wall
  A dynamic installation that showcases Starbucks Reserve’s ever-changing origin stories, this wall-length sculpture displays a rotating selection of coffee cards. Each card is mounted on a pivot, allowing it to respond to airflow and light, adding a sense of motion and narrative fluidity to the space.

• Copper Feature Wall
  Hand-patinated and sculpturally contoured, the copper wall stretches across one of the Reserve’s key interior elevations. It glows with natural and reflected light, adding richness and texture while nodding to the alchemical process of roasting coffee beans.

• Custom Furniture & Lighting
  From communal tables to elegant floor lamps, Wishbone created a suite of bespoke furniture using locally sourced hardwoods, hand-finished joinery, and thoughtful material contrast. These pieces aren’t just places to sit—they’re part of the story, encouraging guests to pause, connect, and stay awhile.

Ongoing Partnership
Since the initial installation, Starbucks Reserve has continued to work with Wishbone to update and evolve the space in alignment with new branding initiatives. From refreshing materials to refining details, these ongoing collaborations reflect a shared commitment to longevity, adaptability, and design excellence. Rather than being static, the space is treated as a living environment—one that grows and responds alongside the brand itself.

Design Philosophy
Every element delivered by Wishbone was conceived with Starbucks Reserve’s core values in mind: craft, provenance, and innovation. By celebrating natural materials, tactile finishes, and visible construction, the fixtures become a physical manifestation of the brand’s identity. The result is not just a coffee bar—it’s a space that honors process, patience, and precision.

Impact
Today, the Starbucks Reserve serves as a landmark destination within Seattle’s cultural and culinary map. The fixtures and architectural interventions created by Wishbone Industrial Arts help define the tone and texture of the experience—immersive, refined, and deeply intentional. The success of the partnership is evident not only in the finished space, but in Starbucks' continued trust and engagement. It’s an ongoing dialogue between two makers, united by a belief in the power of well-made things.

Fabrication Partners
Illume, Inc, Amiga Light