In response to the spatial restrictions brought on by COVID-19, I led the design and fabrication of a custom outdoor seating area for a beloved local coffee shop and bookstore in a college town. With limited indoor capacity, the shop lost a significant portion of its seating — so our team, composed of fellow designers from my studio, stepped in to design and donate a flexible, inviting outdoor furniture set that would extend their space into the street.

The café’s aesthetic — a blend of thrifted charm and playful pops of color — guided our design approach. During a rapid design charrette, we developed a modular set composed of two chairs, two tables, and two mobile bookshelves, all built from reclaimed scrap wood sourced from both the coffee shop and our design studio.

The bookshelves, slanted and stepped for a whimsical yet functional effect, define the perimeter of the seating area while storing books or acting as surfaces for plants, décor, or an outdoor coffee station. The chairs include integrated cubbies on three sides, offering customers a place to tuck away bags, books, or laptops during long study sessions. All elements were finished in vibrant colors that echo the interior palette of the shop and catch the attention of passersby on the busy main street.