Where coffee, knowledge, and passion come together – The coffee makers' station café at Basel SBB train station
The Kaffeemacher:innen: A Short Profile
The founders of this coffee company have made it their mission to change the world of coffee in a sustainable way. Their focus is particularly on the people. Not just on the consumer side, but first and foremost along the value chain. Today, the Basel-based company is actively involved in every aspect of this value chain. They operate their own farm in Nicaragua, maintain close relationships with producers worldwide, roast the imported coffee with great care in their in-house roastery, run several cafés in the city, and share knowledge about coffee and proper preparation at their own Coffee Academy. In addition, this knowledge is shared with the community for free through numerous videos on YouTube. Particularly noteworthy is the philosophy of being open to new ideas and daring to try something new. This means that employees can contribute their ideas at any time and continue to grow within the company. For example, the company’s own bakery, “Brotmacher:innen,” was born out of such an initiative.
The café's design as a symbol of commitment
This project for the train station café beautifully illustrates how the company’s philosophy and core values are reflected in many details of its implementation. The most telling example is the planning and execution of the project, which was carried out entirely by the company. Working as a team, employees from all departments collaborated to build the wooden structure and complete the interior design in time for the grand opening. The choice of wood as a building material was not made solely for cost reasons; it can also be interpreted as a symbol of sustainability. In addition, it creates a warm atmosphere and invites people to stay longer in the café.
But the concept of the dual-level structure is also tailored to the needs of the guests. The lower level of the café focuses on sales and brief stops. Here, commuters can sit down for a moment on one of the bar stools or grab a coffee to go on their way to the train platform. In contrast, the loft above the counter is equipped with plenty of seating and, with its cozy atmosphere and green coffee trees, invites guests to linger and enjoy specialty coffee.
Another detail is the coffee-water bar, where coffee lovers can fill up on specially treated coffee water to take home. This clearly demonstrates once again how the focus is on the guests. Everyone should have the opportunity to extract the best from their coffee. Water plays an important role for connoisseurs, and here it is provided as a complimentary gift.
A place designed for people
The fact that the Station Café is more than just a place to grab a coffee to go is also evident in its expanded service offering. For example, free workshops are held every Wednesday to share the knowledge taught at the Coffee Academy. In addition, the café regularly hosts events such as the “Reading Café,” which brings people in the community together.
The café at Basel SBB Station is a gathering place. It’s far more than just a place where we can buy excellent-quality coffee. It’s a place that invites you to relax, savor the moment, linger, and learn something new.
Our Personal Experience
Documenting this project was a unique experience for us. On the one hand, it was a challenge to photograph all the different angles in the very short time between completion and the grand opening (we had a time window of about 4 hours). On the other hand, the hospitality and collaboration in particular left a lasting impression that truly inspired us. We were welcomed so warmly that, for the duration of the shoot, we felt as if we were part of the team. This philosophy and corporate culture are unparalleled and underscore an important principle: A business isn’t just about revenue and numbers, but first and foremost about human relationships. This is a guiding principle that we also take to our heart.