The Space/Time of Coffee
Originally posted February 20, 2005. See above for further entries.
Note: This was originally posted with images which were subsequently lost. They will eventually be re-instated.
Illy Coffee and Domus Magazine co-sponsored a competition encouraging designers to think about the new ways of enjoying an coffee. "It is meant as an opportunity to discuss the presence of "Break-spaces and dialogue" in modern urban life."
My proposal tries to re-imagine an awkward space that exists in all buildings with elevators: the upper floor elevator lobby. There's a small margin of space between the elevators themselves and the actual office. Illyvator (blame Jeff for the name) animates this space by making it part of a network of impromptu espresso bars.
ILLYVATOR brings you a lift by turning an elevator into a roving espresso bar for tall buildings.
Instead of capitulating to something nasty in the break room or spending time to make a trip down to the sidewalk, ILLYVATOR brings the break to you. ILLYVATOR reclaims boring elevator lobbies and activates them as social space: a network of impromptu espresso lounges throughout the building centered around the enjoyment of great coffee.
Pressing the button to call ILLYVATOR begins an interlude. While dispersing fresh espresso into the lobby spaces is certainly important, ILLYVATOR's greater effect comes in the form of social interactions that ripple through the life of the building. Emboldened by the sensual, social experience of ordering and drinking coffee, the staid office elevator lobby is converted into a locus of chance meetings, conversations, and flirtations: the times of our lives.
Everyone loves expresso, but one ILLYVATOR per building is probably enough. The other elevator shafts continue to function as people-movers.
Operations are supported by small water tanks for supply and waste on the roof of ILLYVATOR. Refills occur in the elevator penthouse as needed.
ILLYVATOR's wall of cups acts as pragmatic storage and also meters the building's caffeine requirements. Each floor is served cups from their own column. Columns with blanks represent floors who are working too hard...
... or not hard enough?