1951 Coffee, a nonprofit specialty coffee organization, supports refugees and asylees in the San Francisco Bay Area through job training, employment, and public education. After the success of their first café, the organization sought to expand into Downtown Berkeley’s new plaza with a stand that could adapt to the site’s evolving vision while maintaining their mission-driven identity.

Partnering with Montaag, the design process began in close coordination with the Downtown Berkeley Association. The concept evolved alongside the plaza’s development, shifting from a permanent 100 sq ft structure to a compact, mobile 50 sq ft stand. Each iteration balanced spatial efficiency, mobility, and brand presence, ensuring the design would integrate seamlessly into the public space while remaining functional for training and employment programs.

The resulting stand is more than a café—it is a community platform. It provides a highly visible point of connection between 1951 Coffee and the public, offering a space not only to serve coffee but also to train employees, share refugee stories, and build awareness. Every cup becomes an opportunity for connection and empowerment.