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Vertical Planters and A Puppet Counter Create an Engaging Community Café Experience

Authors:
Yamina Sam, Simon Jobin, Simon Carpentier
Vertical Planters and A Puppet Counter Create an Engaging Community Café Experience

Project in-detail

A puppet counter complements vertical planters in a community café that supports local social causes through interactive patron engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Puppet counter design fosters a collaborative atmosphere between staff and patrons.
02
Vertical planters integrate greenery into the café, enhancing the urban environment.
03
Modular layout allows for flexible use of space and adaptability to different locations.
04
Steel frame construction ensures durability while maintaining a lightweight profile.
05
Interactive coffee columns link consumer choices directly to local social causes.
The Covfefe Wall is an architectural design that functions as a community-oriented café structure, designed to promote social engagement and support local causes. It provides an inviting space where patrons can enjoy coffee while contributing to specific social initiatives. This project integrates civic responsibilities into a commonplace activity, aligning consumer choices with local support. The design addresses practical needs in urban settings, emphasizing a blend of functionality and interactive experiences for users.

The architecture of the Covfefe Wall is characterized by a modular layout, featuring a prominent partition that facilitates interaction between baristas and customers. This layout effectively encourages a communal atmosphere, essential for fostering relationships among individuals in the space.

The café includes coffee columns that represent various social issues, through which customers can select their preferred cause to support. This selection transforms the purchasing process into an expressive act of social contribution. The design also features a puppet theater-like counter that underscores the notion of equality between service providers and customers, allowing for an engaging exchange rather than a one-sided transaction.

The architectural elements utilized in the Covfefe Wall emphasize sustainability and community integration. The materials chosen include a steel frame for structural support, wood laths for aesthetics and warmth, and concrete as a grounding element, ensuring durability. A transparent awning is incorporated to enhance visibility while offering protection from the elements. Vertical landscaping and planting areas serve both ecological and aesthetic functions, facilitating a connection with nature within an urban context.

Adaptive Use of Space and Interaction

One of the distinguishing features of the Covfefe Wall is its adaptive use of space. The design not only accommodates social interaction but encourages ongoing community engagement through its setup. The vertical planters and tree areas included in the layout create an inviting microenvironment that promotes well-being and enhances the overall experience. The modularity of the design allows for fluidity in space usage, making it adaptable to various locations in urban settings while responding to site-specific conditions.

Support for Local Causes

Another significant aspect of the Covfefe Wall is its commitment to local causes. By allowing patrons to choose which cause to support through their purchases, the design directly aligns consumer behavior with community needs. This multifaceted approach combines architecture with social responsibility, presenting a model where design becomes a tool for fostering community ties. The interactivity built into the café experience challenges the conventional role of a consumer space, prompting patrons to consider their societal impact while enjoying everyday services.

To gain further insights into the architectural plans, sections, designs, and ideas behind the Covfefe Wall, interested readers are encouraged to explore the project presentation. This will provide a more in-depth understanding of its unique design elements and functional strategies.
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100,000€ Prize / 2025

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

Competition organisers

The 10th edition of the MICROHOME architecture competition invites architects and designers from around the world to explore the possibilities of compact, sustainable living. Hosted by Buildner in collaboration with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this special edition challenges participants to design an off-grid, modular microhome for a young professional couple, with a maximum floor area of 25 m². Designs should prioritize innovation, efficiency, and real-world feasibility. 

A total prize fund of 100,000 € will be awarded, including three main prizes, the Kingspan Award, and the Hapi Homes Award, which will grant 15,000 € and lead to the construction of the selected design. The final registration deadline is September 25, 2025, and winners will be announced on Decebmer 9, 2025. For full competition details and submission guidelines, visit microhome.info.

Microhome

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

100,000 € PRIZE FUND / KINGPSAN EDITION #10 IDEAS COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 22 May 2025
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