Travel Cafe, Amin Torkan

Project Name: Travel Cafe / Function: Coffe Shop / Lead Architect: Amin Torkan / Architecture Partners: Alieh Naderi / Render, Draw: Niloufar Beygi, Mahla Dehghani /Project Manager: Reza Savooj / Mechanical Structure-Structure: 900 Architecture Group / Type of Mechanical Structure- Structure: Duct Split, Concerte Structure / Total Land Area: 94m2 / Client: Mr. Saeidpoor / Date: 2020 / Location: Isfahan / Photographer: Negar Sedighi
Website: Amintorkan.com
Email: info@900co.com
Instagram: @900co

COOP was selected as the designer of a new cafe located in Isfahan Chahar Bagh Bala St. which is on the historical axis of Isfahan. This axis consists of the main road called Chahar Bagh and the Naghshe Jahan square which is known as the beating heart of the axis and center of the Safavid government. And as a result of Isfahan’s historical record and its location on Midway along the Silk Road between the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf many caravan merchants pass through it. Therefore encountering travelers, hospitality, therefore being introduced to foreign cuisine and cultured from all over the world is rooted in Isfahan’s culture. Consequently, we decided to conjoin Isfahanians with the traveler who wants to introduce them to the international cuisine worldwide, and that’s how the main concept and character of this cafe was created.
Subsequently, in terms of forms, following our intention of reminiscence of Isfahan’s history, we decided to revive the Iranian archetype by utilizing the form of Arch with the red contours to reinforce the dynamics of Travel Café.
In the design process, one of the influential demands of the employer was for us to highlight the coffee roaster he had arranged for this café. Thus the placement of the coffee roaster alongside its dramatic chimney and the intention of it being visibly marked from all angles affected the form of our main arch and created a window on the exterior façade of the café. Furthermore, in order to unify the exterior or interior space and an intention of keeping the visual connection between them, curtain walls were utilized. Therefore the customers using the exterior sitting area would be able to watch the video being played on the screen. Additionally on the southern facade of the cafe a folding glass window was designed and installed so that the interior seating area particularly the group zone would be adjustable and it could be of use, in case of the weather being in the comfort zone and safety and health reasons such as Covid-19.
Furthermore, our story’s captain feels responsible for the community’s current situation and responds to it adequately. For instance, during the Covid-19 pandemic, it wore a mask, in order to propagate wearing masks and as vaccines were available it encouraged people to get vaccinated to be able to have a nice meal in his café. Moreover, the stair’s graphic design represents the cities and countries our captain has traveled to and from which has brought the drinks and food from, which is represented in the café’s menu as well.