Starbucks opens a unique store named ‘Starbucks Hanok’, styled after traditional Korean houses

A hanok, which was first designed and built in the 14th century during the Joseon dynasty, is a traditional Korean house and was shaped differently by region.

The space is a collaboration between Starbucks and Bang & Olufsen, a high-end Danish consumer electronics business that creates and manufactures audio devices.

The design of the new Starbucks location, which takes up about 7000sqm, was inspired by the city’s historic buildings and architecture. It has an open layout, Asian-inspired wooden floor seating, and indoor windows that overlook a garden.

Customers can enjoy music in a designated area that was built in partnership with Bang & Olufsen, and the two businesses also worked together to produce the new Beosound Explore portable Bluetooth speaker, which will be offered instore.

Starbucks considers South Korea one of the most important markets due to the coffee-drinking culture of locals. The giant US coffee retailer opened its first store in South Korea in 1999.

Source | Inside Retail Asia