This visionary design for a Starbucks located on Pacific Coast Highway near Long Beach CityCollege is a tangible access point for engaging the community with sustainable design. Students and commuters alike will be drawn in by a striking appearance that invites one to experience anew vision for mobile, sustainable retail service. Previously occupied by a truck repair shop, the site required an environmental remediation before proceeding with further development. Starting from this challenging position, the design team took the building up to LEED Gold Standard through sustainable landscaping, building materials and techniques.

Traffic is carefully directed to make the best use of the long rectangular lot, guiding drive-thru patrons around the periphery with parking and through-traffic routed through the center. The drive-thru line is screened off from the highway by recycled plastic planks beneath a shade structure topped with solar panels. The building itself is made of ocean-harvested-plastic construction blocks. This grab-and-go shop offers a walk-up window, patio lounge, bike racks and EV charging stations. These innovative sustainable solutions and materials set the standard for sustainable retail design.