Project for a Cafeteria

THE PROJECT DESCRIBED BELOW IS AN EXAMPLE OF COMPLETE EXPERIMENTATION: FROM THE DESIGNING STAGE TO THE ACTUAL USE. IT IS A BAR DESIGNED BY THREE OF ITS FUTURE USERS, STUDENTS AT THE HFG IN KARLSRUHE.
Werner Aisslinger, designer from Berlin and professor at the HfG in Karlsruhe, organized a design contest among college students. Three young designers designed the College area meant to meet daily student requirements, to become a reception and servicing area, to be used for the presentation of projects, for exhibitions and other events, thus becoming the platform where students and “audience” can meet.
The spatial and lighting solutions were conceived by Lilian de Souza and Daniel Juric. They arranged the space so that the clear separation created between the bar itself a place to establish relations and a more secluded and intimate area, would become in itself a distinguishing feature of the project. Thus, the communication area opens up to the front where the service units are located: automatic drinks and snacks dispensers and a coffee machine. In the same area there is a steel work desk with shelves above it. Next to the desk, a fridge with glass panels on all four sides offers enough room to store great amounts of refreshments. The components of the bar counter were designed according to the “sandwich” technique, the contour marked out by an uninterrupted rim of adjustable lighting being the distinguishing feature. Arranged along the counter and in the entrance area are various pieces of furniture belonging to the skim collection designed by Kai Ritcher and presented for the first time at the “Salone del Mobile” in Milan in 2001. Taken from this collection are two types of upholstered stools and chairs seating one or more persons, and two types of tables. The “Skim” collection won the “2001 Cologne Commerzbank Design Award” and was also awarded at the “Designpreis Neunkirken 2001″.
A luminous wall that can be darkened separates the relax area from the bar area located at the front of the cafeteria, where three separate seating areas have been created: each area has four upholstered stools inviting the students to take a break from their long day full of classes. Thanks to their removable upholstery and to the possibility of assembling the pieces, the movable stools can be re-arranged and used for presentations and exhibitions.
Various fabric panels and lighting spots are anchored to a grid which is fixed to the ceiling, covering the seating areas and the entire room. The panels and lights can be re-arranged on the grid to obtain different kinds of effects, thus changing the atmosphere continuously according to the educational activity underway, to enhance social events or for general bar operational purposes.
On Tuesdays the students meet at the cafeteria in a night bar for a series of events called “divine”.