Carnegie Mellon CafeSwap image

Carnegie Mellon Cafe

Domed oculus of the LEED-certified Gold cafe

  • Domed oculus of the LEED-certified Gold cafe
  • Before and after
  • Inspiration for the shape of the dome was drawn from the thistle, the symbol of Carnegie Mellon, as well as art and technology, two strengths of the university
  • Exterior
  • Renewable and recycled materials, such as bamboo flooring, are used throughout
  • The LED-illumination system is programmed to never repeat a design
  • Design process
  • CAD section showing the cafe in context
  • Section
  • Overlooking the pod from the mezzanine
  • Project information
  • Featured quote
  • Awards

This unique cafe is built within the shell of a failed dining hall. Thinking outside of traditional institutional food service design, P+A transformed the dark, unappealing space into an abstract, organic, pod-shaped form with custom lighting that engages the existing walls and columns. The project has been LEED-certified Gold, one of the first cafes in the country to earn this designation.

Client: Carnegie Mellon University (2006)

First Place — Commercial
3Form Material Solutions
2006

3Form Awards Page

  • Previous project
  • Next project