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Kiva Han Coffee House

Sector

Restaurant

Location

Downtown Charleston

Year

1997

Design Team

Neil Stevenson Architects

3D Illustrations

Neil Stevenson Architects

Photographer

Neil Stevenson Architects

The original inspiration came from Rick’s bar in the Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman movie Casablanca.

The name 'Kiva Han' was inspired by the first coffee houses to pop up in Europe in the mid 16th century through Venetian merchants trading with the Ottoman Empire.

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The design of Kiva Han was inspired by Ottoman architecture which celebrated open, dynamic spaces of curves and arches. The transformation from the original, poorly light, un-inspired shipping office, into an energetic space with open ceilings, arched doorways and openings and a circular concrete bar that looked and felt like exotic aged leather, made it a favorite attraction for locals and visitors to the Holy City.​

Kiva Han Coffee House architecture. Neil Stevenson Architects in Charleston, SC. Commercial architect. Architectural design.
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Kiva Han Coffee House architecture. Neil Stevenson Architects in Charleston, SC. Commercial architect. Architectural design.
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