Portfolio Cafe
Cafeteria Renovation
About the Site Portfolio Cafe is RISD restaurant, open to students and public. It is located in RISD student dormitory 15 West Building first floor, right across from RISD Fleet Library.
It originally was designed to be a cafe, but in order to meet public needs, it eventually developed into a restaurant instead. Therefore the space became problematic. principle problematic issues found in Portfolio Cafe: dim lighting, limited dining space, uncomfortable chair(causing poor posture, uncomfortable). Additionally the hope was to create a way to display students work and posters. This 48-hour project was assigned by The Portfolio managers and RISD Interior Architecture Department. |
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Few issues in Portfolio Cafe were addressed: the ceiling change was too dramatic (too high and too low), the color palette was too busy, the restaurant was too noisy (from the kitchen/serving area and among the dining area), the lighting was too dim and too complicated (the brightest light is shining on bathroom doors), and the style from 15 West Building hallway to Portfolio Cafe, and from RISD Fleet Library needed to be more unify.
Therefore, very first thing, we add a windshield entry and have Portfolio signature logo at an angle facing toward the main entrance of the building.
Next, when entering Portfolio Cafe, on the left we put a partition wall, pattern mimicking RISD Fleet Library, which is right across Portfolio Cafe, structure with birch plywood. Along the partition wall hangs glass cases that can display RISD students' work, both 2D and 3D. Also, flooring material changes to a darker cork like what RISD Library had. This connects the two RISD facility.
In the dining area, on the ceiling is white acoustic panels pattern inspired by the wall decoration of the lounge room in the back of Portfolio Cafe. The acoustic ceiling slanted down, connecting the two different ceiling height, with light drop down in between. This not only reduces the noise but also creates a brighter focus light for comfort.
Seating wise in the dining area, a big, heavy, long "Viking table" placed in the center, marking a straight path circulation from the cashier/check out. On the side are seating booths with two and four seating area on the sides. This makes a clearer circulation and allow more people for dining. In addition, the booth on the sides also solve the current issue, preventing tables from banging against the wall leaving marks.
In conclusion, we try to renovate Portfolio Cafe with as simple and minimal change as possible. We simplify and unify the Portfolio Cafe's lighting and color choice and the gallery show on partition wall promote a sense of identity in RISD.
Therefore, very first thing, we add a windshield entry and have Portfolio signature logo at an angle facing toward the main entrance of the building.
Next, when entering Portfolio Cafe, on the left we put a partition wall, pattern mimicking RISD Fleet Library, which is right across Portfolio Cafe, structure with birch plywood. Along the partition wall hangs glass cases that can display RISD students' work, both 2D and 3D. Also, flooring material changes to a darker cork like what RISD Library had. This connects the two RISD facility.
In the dining area, on the ceiling is white acoustic panels pattern inspired by the wall decoration of the lounge room in the back of Portfolio Cafe. The acoustic ceiling slanted down, connecting the two different ceiling height, with light drop down in between. This not only reduces the noise but also creates a brighter focus light for comfort.
Seating wise in the dining area, a big, heavy, long "Viking table" placed in the center, marking a straight path circulation from the cashier/check out. On the side are seating booths with two and four seating area on the sides. This makes a clearer circulation and allow more people for dining. In addition, the booth on the sides also solve the current issue, preventing tables from banging against the wall leaving marks.
In conclusion, we try to renovate Portfolio Cafe with as simple and minimal change as possible. We simplify and unify the Portfolio Cafe's lighting and color choice and the gallery show on partition wall promote a sense of identity in RISD.
Objective
RISD Interior Architecture Department 48 hour design charette competition comissioned by RISD to re-plan Portfolio Cafe to accomdate larger groups as well as promote a sense of identity.
Kitchen and serving area are not required to be redesign, however, the hanging chandelier and "comma" wallpaper have to stay because they are alumni donated work.
10 groups with five to seven students per team with draw.
This group project credit to: Jason Van Yperen, Lianne Bitters, Ricardo Haro, Yujin Oh, Lan Hwang
Project Duration: 48 hours
Kitchen and serving area are not required to be redesign, however, the hanging chandelier and "comma" wallpaper have to stay because they are alumni donated work.
10 groups with five to seven students per team with draw.
This group project credit to: Jason Van Yperen, Lianne Bitters, Ricardo Haro, Yujin Oh, Lan Hwang
Project Duration: 48 hours