2024
Team: Rachel Esteban, Thanya Weadick, Caitlin Hegarty
Location: Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
This project transforms a site in Boerum Hill into a café and bar inspired by the charm of a 1950’s classic diner. The ground floor operates as the café. The façade is designed to reflect traditional diner aesthetics, incorporating metal piping and glass blocks reminiscent of 1980’s architecture, and features a take-out window for passerby service.
The layout includes seating for 20 to 30 guests, a commercial kitchen for preparing traditional diner-inspired bar food, custom banquette seating, and a patio. The café’s bar area is defined by a metal drop ceiling, a custom designed L-shaped bar, and custom shelving with integrated lighting. Red and white checkerboard tiles subtly reference the diner style. Toward the rear of the space, a skylight introduces natural light, enhancing and framing a comfortable living room style seating area.
In contrast, the cellar floor offers a moody, dimly lit ambiance,
mostly illuminated by the vibrant neon lights of the centralized
pinball machines. The venue’s dual operation for both daytime and nighttime creates an attractive opportunity for the client.