"Work In Progress" Café at Costa Mesa, California

2025, May 15 - May 21

Along Randolph Ave, Costa Mesa, lies yet another aesthetic cafe, Work In Progress (WIP). It’s popular for its morning coffee and quickly served brunch. Social media influencers have been recommending this hidden gem for its modern and pleasing interior. Finished in 2021, it features a warehouse bare look with a light color theme and carved shelving as the centerpiece of the shop. Unlike standard rectangular shaped cut-outs, a semi-circle is at the center of the wall followed by half-stadiums and “L” shaped on the sides. Decorative drinks and plants fill in the shelves and give off a cozy environment. The shop successfully combines delicate engineering  with appealing aesthetics, fostering a communal engagement without compromising spatial clarity. Utilizing natural light is an energy-efficient tactic in addition to being an architectural gesture. When opened, the huge glass doors and expansive windows allow for passive ventilation and lessen the need for artificial illumination during the day. A neat mechanical structure is visible through the uncovered ceiling. Sprinkler systems, lighting tracks, and HVAC ducts are all neatly aligned, demonstrating an honest representation of the building systems and this adds onto a unique aesthetic. In addition to increasing spatial height, this open-ceiling design makes maintenance easier, which is a clever technical choice that is sometimes disregarded. 

This design's dependence on aesthetic minimalism, which occasionally runs the risk of lacking functionality, offers a slight design flaw. Despite its aesthetic attractiveness, the open shelf may cause congestion or necessitate ongoing curation to prevent appearing haphazard. Furthermore, even if the stool sitting is stylish, it might not be appropriate for guests with accessibility requirements or for lengthy visits. Therefore, even though the area is successful in terms of aesthetics and user experience, it might use some practical and ergonomic changes. This challenges both business owners and designers to think carefully about where to draw the boundary between accommodations and attractions. Long-term customer happiness hinges on comfort, durability, and accessibility, even while aesthetics can boost foot traffic and social media prominence. The café turns into a real example of how interior design and architecture are not only artistic mediums but also behavioral instruments that influence how people use, occupy, and return to a space. By carefully combining technical and consumer input, the gap could be closed and performance wouldn't be sacrificed for aesthetics.