The social dining experience, a medley of diverse activities, can be made more efficient by consolidating them into one space. From food preparation and conversation to sharing plates and post-meal drinks, all these activities can be seamlessly integrated into a single area, eliminating the need for separate spaces for consumption and preparation.

The design solution for enhancing social dining experiences is not just about the physical layout, but also about promoting interaction and connection. A table/counter is placed at the center of a rectangular floor plan, with a gentle ramp in the middle of the floor. This ramp serves as an extended threshold between consumption and preparation, creating a spatial transition that encourages people to gather around the ‘isle’ and interact with each other throughout the social dining event, regardless of the type of activity.  

A barrel vault ceiling is introduced to accentuate the ‘isle.’ The form of this ceiling is elegantly simple and minimal, reflecting the intimacy at the center of space, the center of society.  Materials and details are also reduced to the minimum to emphasize the richness of the wooden ‘isle of social,’ and the space becomes all about people, food, and socializing on the ‘isle.’ 

 

Year: 2018

Type: Design Competition - Shortlisted

Publications:"COOK8: The New Dining Place"