Quote Coffee

QUOTE

Quote Coffee is a project designed for a retail space on the ground floor of the Providence Public Library. In a meeting with the director of the Providence Public Library, it was evident that the idea of pushing for a more “active” instead of “passive” library was important to them. Instead of someone coming to the library to grab a book and leaving, the staff at PPL are aiming for a more interactive experience, with different classes and programs. I felt it very important that I contribute to this “active” experience in my design process. With this in mind, I designed a café that extends the physical library into the space. The idea is for the café to be carved out of the bookshelves, completely immersed into the library itself. My intention is for the café to draw people into the library and for the library to draw people into the café.

Oftentimes I find myself wishing for a place that serves food and drink but is also completely work-friendly. Bringing out a computer in the middle of a café can be awkward, and there is always some uncertainty as to how long your stay is welcome. For me, doing my work outside my home and in a different environment allows for a more fun, more productive experience. In my design, I aim to provide a public place where privacy is encouraged. I will achieve this through several small cavities, with furniture that is optimal for study (large table surfaces and comfortable seating). My design aims to create a more interactive library. By allowing customers to actually sit inside a bookcase, I am giving them a different perspective of the library and encouraging them to stay and read the books that are offered. The café will have their own collection of books, separate from the library's collection. The intention for this is for the customers to discover new books as they sit among them.