TaiTai Teaology is Grove Café’s new beverage-focused concept, launched within the campus of Metropolitan University. Designed as a modern take on a traditional snack kiosk, it features digital menus, neon signage, and a sleek façade of corrugated white panels and tile textures. The project transforms a former snack stall into a vibrant hand-shaken tea outlet, serving Taiwanese bubble (boba) drinks to a student-dominated crowd.
This bold and compact installation reflects Grove Café’s evolving brand direction while maintaining operational efficiency in a high-traffic location. Despite regulatory constraints from the university, the kiosk was successfully delivered in under 10 weeks and has since become a popular campus highlight.
타이타이 티올로지는 그로브 카페(Grove Café)의 새로운 음료 중심 콘셉트로 메트로폴리탄 대학교 캠퍼스에 문을 열었습니다. 전통적인 스낵 키오스크를 현대적으로 재해석한 이 키오스크는 디지털 메뉴, 네온사인, 그리고 흰색 골판지 패널과 타일 질감의 세련된 외관을 자랑합니다. 이 프로젝트는 과거 스낵 가판대였던 공간을 활기 넘치는 핸드셰이크 차 전문점으로 탈바꿈시켜 학생들이 주로 찾는 곳에서 대만식 버블(보바) 음료를 제공합니다.
이 대담하고 컴팩트한 설치물은 그로브 카페의 변화하는 브랜드 방향을 반영하는 동시에 유동 인구가 많은 곳에서도 운영 효율성을 유지합니다. 대학의 규제 제약에도 불구하고 키오스크는 10주도 채 되지 않아 성공적으로 설치되었으며, 이후 캠퍼스의 인기 명소로 자리매김했습니다.
Project details
Construction Duration
~8–10 weeks (including approvals)
Location
Metropolitan University, Hong Kong
Signature materials
Neon signage
LED light trough
Digital menu screens
Corrugated aluminum cladding
Area
Approx. 60–70 sq ft. (front-facing kiosk)
Year
2024
CONCEPT & DESIGN INTENT
TaiTai Teaology is a new sub-brand under Grove Café, specializing in Taiwanese-style hand-shaken beverages, including boba milk tea. This kiosk was explicitly designed for a university campus setting, targeting the student demographic with a vibrant, youth-oriented aesthetic. The concept was to create a visually striking, compact, and contemporary drink stall that signals a bold departure from Grove Café’s existing coffee-based identity, yet retains a subtle brand continuity.
SPATIAL STRATEGY / PLANNING LOGIC
Converted from a former snack bar, the kiosk’s spatial strategy is optimized for takeaway service. The front façade integrates ordering, preparation, and menu display into a single, efficient layout. The back-of-house space is carefully organized to streamline the workflow, while the customer-facing counter ensures fast and clear interaction. Peak-hour efficiency was a primary planning driver, given the dense foot traffic from the university population.
GALLERY
MATERIALITY & DETAILING
A bold use of modern finishes defines the exterior design:
White corrugated aluminum panels provide a fresh, dynamic look
LED light through the under-the-counter and behind-the-menu wall creates a glowing, attractive outline
Custom neon signage of drink icons adds a playful brand personality
A gridded tile wall with backlit digital menus introduces high-tech clarity and order
Seasonal décor (e.g., holiday garlands) was integrated with pre-installed hooks for festive adaptability
PROJECT GOALS & OUTCOMES
TaiTai Teaology is a new sub-brand under Grove Café, specializing in Taiwanese-style hand-shaken beverages, including boba milk tea. This kiosk was explicitly designed for a university campus setting, targeting the student demographic with a vibrant, youth-oriented aesthetic. The concept was to create a visually striking, compact, and contemporary drink stall that signals a bold departure from Grove Café’s existing coffee-based identity, yet retains a subtle brand continuity.
COLLABORATION & CONSTRAINTS
As a tenant space within Metropolitan University, the project required coordination with campus administrators regarding signage, fire safety, lighting intensity, and branding usage. The adjacent MU Café (also operated by Grove Café) previously occupied a former Pacific Coffee unit. Due to school branding restrictions, the kiosk initially could not display the “Grove Café” name, using “MU Café” instead. These limitations were later eased, allowing the full integration of the Grove Café brand identity.
TAITAI TEAOLOGY
METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY, HONG KONG.
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