PIA Commendation 2015
Coffee houses are institutions often associated with the encouragement of creativity, allowing for a diverse clientele to interact within a shared space, one that is different from the individual perceptions of space but still holds an intuitive sense of communal ownership.
Striking such a balance within the hustle & bustle of Brooklyn is no small feat. The tumult of passing feet within the surrounding context need both a passing interaction as well as a place to watch time while by.
A specific focus was placed on a defending threshold, moving through the ephemeral exterior seating toward the warm, wood and re steel-clad heart of the restaurant. This intimacy is carried over to the relationship between those who prepare is carried over to the relationship between those who prepare the food, and the client, making clear the passion of ritual which goes into the creation of both drink & food. This is achieved through the inclusion of a wrap-around service / seating counter, harking back to the layout of the seminal American diner, from which much inspiration was drawn.
The relationship between Architect & owner was found on a common vision, centered on brand recognition, attempting to find a common language, which simultaneously enhances the experience of returning customers, while also enthralling customers enjoying first encounter with Tribeca Original, hopefully the first of many more to come.
