The Plant Cafe Organic by CCS ARCHITECTURE

This 50-seat counter-service café, serving organic food and drink, opened in San Francisco's Marina district on December 1. The contemporary design is both casual and upscale, using sustainable materials that are raw and refined.

A central element is the juice and salad bar; made from hickory, tile, glass and brushed zinc, it is an expression of the fresh food being served. To counter this strong linear element the main dining area is surrounded with a reclaimed hickory slat ceiling and walls with warm linear lighting. The area strives to embrace with comfortable wool covered banquets and to provide a slow lounge like space versus the grab and go lunch time rush of the counter dining space.

To gather both of these elements one entire wall of the space is composed of an adjustable shelving wall meant to be hold the product of the food being served. The wall also uses the food as an art piece that changes according to the seasonal nature of organic produce and makes the food the centerpiece of ones experience of the space.

Objectives of the design

Health
Natural, recycled and simple materials were chosen which would not affect indoor air quality and have a long lifespan. The maximum amount of natural light was maintained and increased with a maximum amount of glass and open door to the skylit kitchen and large floor to ceiling glass doors at the entry.

High Standards
The clients maintained a high level of standards with every aspect of the project from the materials chosen, to the level of detail expected, to the consistency of graphics, food quality and committed and energetic staff. This passion and direction led to a more open design phase and to a construction phase which resulted in a well crafted, custom quality to all parts of the café.

Good for the environment
The use of reclaimed and natural materials which are both long lasting and durable, like zinc, solid wood and stainless steel, allows for the space to age and change, as well as reduce the amount of material to be used over time.

Sustainable
In the spirit of sustainable agriculture -- the design of the space is meant to be a place to enjoy food but also a place of warmth, of health and of durability and age -- one which will be an example of the use of simple materials, well crafted design and become a part of the greater community over time.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• CCS Architecture
• Restaurant
• Sustainable
• Cass Calder Smith
• San Francisco
• The Plant Cafe
• Organic
• Cafe
• Interiors
• Marina