Permits are days away from being issued for our cafe project in Traverse City, Michigan. After finding our work at Filter in Wicker Park, the brewers asked us to design their similarly infrastructured space in cherry country. We have uncovered the original structure through about seventy years of dirt, grime, and hideous remodels to find beautiful maple floors, yellow masonry, and a tin ceiling! We’ve also rediscovered the existing window openings in the rear of the space which will give new light and air to the seating area. The space will operate as a cafe during the day, with locally roasted coffee brewed over a custom designed pour-over stand, and a tavern into the night. After a building material shopping spree in Chicago we have designed reclaimed pendant light fixtures and barnwood, recycled leather, and salvaged wood windows into the space. The rest of the design features a refined industrial aesthetic echoing the former sawmills of Traverse City while giving a subtle nod to the City Opera House which still operates upstairs. Photos inside.
05 • 22 • 2011
