ODD ONE OUT
Expertise in navigating city restrictions made way for a bold branding of a pre-existing kiosk to showcase an elevated boba experience.
A Taiwanese bubble tea company with a devoted following and two flagship stores in Taipei, Odd One Out Tea brought its US expansion to one of the kiosk pavilions anchoring Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade. Navigating the city's strict historic and signage regulations, Wick Architecture delivered something bold—with limitations on altering the roof and traditional signage, the building itself became the sign, wrapped in the brand's signature orange ombre scheme that commands attention along the Promenade. A series of smaller blade signs introduce the brand without running afoul of municipal restrictions.
Inside, the existing shell was retained while the interior was fully reimagined. A glass divide exposes the front-of-house production kitchen, and a series of exterior windows invite passersby to watch the craft preparation in action. Cork cladding on the ceiling—a nod to the Taipei flagship—adds warmth and texture, while globe lighting draws the eye to the ordering station. Central planting and an open, sheltered seating area complete the experience.
Project Size: 943 SF
Project Location: Kiosk Pavilion, Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA
“In leveraging their extensive experience and expertise to address the challenges of brand adaptation in a heavily regulated market, the designers have fulfilled the client’s vision with brand penetration that is contributing to a destination that people want to visit once again.”
—ADF Web Magazine
