Sustainable Cafe
Project Type: Commercial (Concept)Location: Denton, TexasProject Size: 4,780 sq.ft.This cafe design is located within a conceptual Hortarium, a new architectural typology focused on local food production and community engagement. Imagine every weekend going to a park that has many educational, fun and entertaining places to visit, and at the same park you eat and drink at a cafe where most items are made within 20-30 miles from there. However, this cafe cares not just for the food it serves its customers, but also for the sustainability of its materials, as well as green power generation and water collection. All roof surfaces are covered with solar panels that charge multiple electrical batteries. The high volume space is the main cafe serving location, while the lower one is the prep and kitchen area. Expansive skylight, large windows, long clerestory in addition to a full-glass facade to the left offer plenty of natural light thus even further reducing electrical needs.
In the back of the cafe customers can enjoy being outdoors at practically most months of the year since the lap shading canopy offers some protection from the sun and wind. Flexible seating and woven chairs allow for a great customer experience in small or large groups. Pizza clay ovens in the back amplify the outdoor subterranean feel. Flagstone slate is amongst the most natural flooring materials one can find. Multiple fruit trees are sprinkled around the area to add to the natural appeal. 
The left side of the cafe is the place that could be enjoyed throughout the year, rain or snow, shine or forecast. Tinted glass walls and roof leave the space with just the right amount of natural light. Wooden seating pergolas make the atmosphere more intimate for more purposeful meetings and conversations. Climbing plants with flowers add to the luxury appeal of this portion of the cafe. Large windows bring refracted light into the main serving area and make being outdoor under the glass roof feel more prestigious.