Starbucks launches new green store design strategy

New York City Coffee chain Starbucks Coffee Corp. on Thursday announced a new global design strategy that seeks to reinvigorate its in-store experience. New store designs will reflect the character of each store’s surrounding neighborhood while helping to reduce its environmental impact. The company will source materials and employ craftsmen on a localized basis, and will incorporate reused and recycled elements where possible.

Starbucks said it will use the design strategy in stores as they are built and renovated. The company said it hopes to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification on all new Starbucks-operated stores starting in 2010.

While new store designs will reflect the character of the community, they will share several core characteristics, including an emphasis on enhanced energy efficiency, sourcing materials and employing craftsmen on a localized basis, and incorporating reused and recycled elements where possible. Other common elements include a focus on storytelling and customer engagement through all five senses.

“Ultimately, we hope customers will feel an enhanced sense of community, a deeper connection to our coffee heritage and a greater level of commitment to environmental consciousness,” said Arthur Rubinfeld, president, Starbucks Global Development.

Starbucks said the new design is on display in two stores in Seattle. Both locations are registered to be LEED certified.