'Distinctive' new design plans for Costa Coffee go ahead in the capital

Costa Coffee has begun work on a new drive-through design at 100 Blackheath Road, in South East London.

The 2,200 sq ft pod unit designed by the London office of architects, The Harris Partnership, incorporates full height glazing to create a welcoming interior and allows for views out to the external seating area and retail units beyond on Blackheath Retail Park.

The scheme has taken high-quality design and materials to ensure the overall appearance of the pod unit enhances the surrounding area.

Due to the stand-alone nature of the new building, the design has been developed with a modern aesthetic, but also borrows elements from the existing context in order to embed it into its surroundings.

To create a soft, welcoming environment the use of contrasting treated timber fins are being used, offset against a sleek vertical standing seam cladding, extenuating the height through the articulation of the material palette.

The new pod is restricted in height on Blackheath Retail Park to maximum of 3.25m, therefore careful articulation of the building form has been required which is targeted for completion by the end of 2018.