8:52 PM
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By Melissa Torres
The Steelcase cafeteria in Grand
Rapids, Michigan has been with the same design since 1968 with potted ferns and
lights intact. It was said by the anthropologists that are employed by the
manufacture that the cafeteria was in serious need for a renovation. The Steelcase
design team took this as a time to shine, and not only show their work in their
showrooms but also actually have their work displayed somewhere where it is in
use. The Design manager Cherie Johnson worked together with Joey Shimoda from
Shimodas Design group. They came up with the perfect idea of making the
cafeteria not just a place to grab coffee or lunch, but also a place to
multi-task work in the café.
The facility is 20,000 sq. foot, and
it is a café with an office program. The facility consists of 10,000 steel case
employees. The offices are at the top and the concierge desk is at the bottom
of the offices down the grand staircase and the café is at the bottom grade of
the staircase. Lockers and business centers are behind the concierge desk, and
is there to stash coats, boots and luggage. Visitors can proceeded to a welcome
center space beneath the stairs equipped with video monitors offering updates
on corporate events. Usually colleagues
who are waiting migrate to the coffee bar, and get to see the global wall,
which gives an overview of company’s happening everywhere from Rosenheim,
Germany, to Malaysia. In front of the wall stand are some angular
counter-height tables with barstools. The stools are great because it forces
people to sit opposite to each other and creates an opportunity for people meet
and talk.
(Welcome
center for visitors with video monitors)
For flooring finishes they made a
built staircase made of solid walnut, and it connects to the main lobby and the
work café below. Beneath the stairs is nylon carpet tile, which is in the café
lounge and coffee bar. Over the stairs there is a beautiful canopy that is
light up with LED lighting. The canopy reminds me of a bee’s honeycomb nest and
it is very creative and full of color.
In the lounge there is cove lighting that is separated from the coffee
lounge. In the server area there is a glass curtain surrounding fluorescent
lighting over the custom quartz countertop. I think quartz was a great choice
for the salad bar counter top, because quartz is very durable and is not
affected with acids. A lot of the
furniture is made from steel case like stools, few built-ins, and seating and
tables. Some of their furniture designs are with green seats and chromed legs. Materials
used for this commercial facility are definitely great and durable and energy
efficient.
(Canopy LED Lighting) 
(solid
walnut staircase and nylon carpet tile)
Overall I think the idea was
brilliant not just a café but a work café.
This commercial facility used commercial rated materials that are very
durable, and energy efficient lighting. Materials have to be commercial rated
to meet certain codes and for its durability, and energy efficient lighting is
great to save more energy and cut back on electricity bills. The space looks
beautiful and functional. Steel case is on their way to marketing their products
in a more live -able way rather than just displayed in show rooms. Their ideas
are definitely out of the box and unique. The design is not only great to
endorse their products but great for the employees to have a different work
aspect. My husband works in the medical field and tells me that sometimes he
doesn’t have lunch because he has to finish his work, but in a place like the
steel case cafeteria he would be able to keep up with his work and enjoy a nice
lunch. This idea of a work cafe’ can bounce of to other facilities and require
steel case services.
(Eating
and working)
Title of Article: Eat,Work, Love
Joey Shimoda nourishes the corporate soul with
a cafeteria for Steelcase in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Article written by: Deborah
Wilk -- Interior Design, 2/1/2012 2:00:00 AM
Photography
by: Benny
Chan/Fotoworks.
PROJECT TEAM:
daniel allen; todd
tuntland; david khuong; benjamin grobe; ying-ling sun; andre krause; elizabeth
cao: shimoda design group. gary steffy lighting design: lighting consultant.
robert darvas associates: structural engineer. progressive ae: mep.
christensen fiberglass tooling: fiberglass contractor. owens-ames-kimball co.:
general contractor.
Posts
16 comments:
The feeling of movement throughout the Steelcase cafeteria is amazing. The architectural forms throughout the space really add interest to what could have been an ordinary cafeteria.
Steelcase cafeteria looks out of this world really nice; it's something that will be more coming up more in new cafeterias in the future.
The Steelcase cafeteria has a futuristic look but the curved lines in the design of the ceiling, walls and floor add a softening effect to promote a relaxed atmosphere. Miriam
Steelcase always stays current with human behavior and research and know how to make the most out of a space. With such a large space, I like the use of flooring, lighting, and furniture arrangements to create niches for lounging, dining, or meeting areas. However they still maintain the energizing and inspiring open space.
This cafeteria looks more like a Sony's Electronic store rather than an eating area. I wouldn't feel comfortable or "cozy" eating here. In fact, this place would be perfect if Apple took over and sell some iPhones.
The Steelcase Cafeteria is so unique and beautiful. I enjoy the canopy above the staircase - it lets the eyes flow through the massive architectural scale.
The Steelcase Cafeteria is so different and amazing. I really like all of the different types of lighting they use throughout the space. It gives it a unique look and nothing looks the same.
The cafeteria is a little stark and does look like a showroom but on the otherhand it does have the clean look that I love. It also looks very efficient.
This design is very different. The use of lines as a principle is apparent here. Very avant-garde modern design and more artistic than what we would normally see. However, this is not an atmospheric place where people would spend a long period of time dining in...
Steelcase always know how to use architecture to make a bold statement in a space, and this is key example. Love the movement it causes.
It is unbelievable that it was designed since 1969. It is too modern to be a design from back then. And it looks more like a museum more than a eating area from my point of view. Great building and great article!!
I absolutely love the design of the crisp white ceiling art and the combination of wood together. I feel so at ease when I look at it. There's an obvious sense of stillness and peace even though it's such a large space.
This one looked awesome, Very nice design, the materials on the ceiling and the wooden stair looked ver good that drew people eyes in. This is a good place to visit.
the light at the celeing is very effective
I think Steelcase is so sleek and modern! I'm loving all the amazing innovations that continue to put them at the top of their game every year!
Seating world is the best place where you can get best Cafeteria Furniture in Hyderabad .Seating world india also provides all types of furnitures including Home, Office, Shopping malls, Hospitals and etc.,.
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