{"id":221596,"date":"2024-01-04T08:53:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-04T13:53:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/interiordesign.net\/?post_type=id_project&p=221596"},"modified":"2024-01-09T09:29:46","modified_gmt":"2024-01-09T14:29:46","slug":"two-persons-coffee-adaptive-reuse","status":"publish","type":"id_project","link":"https:\/\/interiordesign.net\/projects\/two-persons-coffee-adaptive-reuse\/","title":{"rendered":"This School Turned Coffee Shop is an Adaptive Reuse Gem"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The counter is topped with granite from the boys locker room shower. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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January 4, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n

Words: <\/span>Jesse Dorris<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photography: <\/span>Sam Oberter; interior design by Whitney Joslin<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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This School Turned Coffee Shop is an Adaptive Reuse Gem<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

In 1936, the Public Works Administration completed a beautiful Art Deco building in South Philadelphia to house a vocational school with a range of offerings, from culinary arts to welding and bricklaying. Just shy of a century later, in 2013 the school closed; developer Scout LTD eventually bought the space with the idea of transforming it into a new home for the city\u2019s vibrant community of makers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All those artists need fuel, of course. So local architecture and design firm Kaminski + Pew<\/a> carved out a space on the ground floor for independent cafe, Two Persons Coffee. \u201cOur goal was to create a space that intentionally blurs the narrative of place and time,\u201d explain firm cofounders Kevin Kaminski and Alexis Pew. \u201cWe wanted to invite a sense of wonder. What is existing? What is new?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A back wall of tiles from Heath Ceramic define the space.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As for what’s already on hand, the answer is: Almost everything. To recast some 300 square feet of what once was an auto body tool room into the coffee shop, the team relocated, wire-brushed, cleaned, and painted the school\u2019s existing fencing. Granite panels, removed from walls and resurfaced, is the face and top of Two Persons Coffee’s monumental counter. Classroom furniture takes on a new life as caf\u00e9 seating. \u201cThe biggest challenge was finding a contractor willing to salvage and repurpose materials from the building,\u201d add Kaminski and Pew. \u201cConor Roche from ROC buildings was up to the task and a great partner.\u201d The walls and ceiling, they say, \u201care clear coated to preserve the existing patina and make the space safe for food.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And as for the design duo’s second question? \u201cThe small but mighty coffee shop quickly developed into a destination,\u201d they share. Not just for the tenants of the building\u201450% of which are women-owned and 80% of which are self-owned\u2014including spaces for furniture makers, tattoo artists, painting studios, designers of all disciplines, and charitable organizations. But also for locals in the area. \u201cTwo Persons has become a vital hub,\u201d note Kaminski and Pew, \u201cfor both the building and surrounding community.\u201d A good lesson, then, in adaptive reuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Transforming an Industrial Building into a Creative Hub<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Furniture was sourced from various classrooms, keeping pieces out of the landfill.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Neighbors are fellow creatives, including the Firth & Wilson bike shop next door.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The counter is topped with granite salvaged from the locker room shower. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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A Felt + Fat tray made in a local ceramic studio, Finnish Design Shop perforated letterboard, and Heath Ceramics vase rest on the counter.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The fencing also was sourced from the locker room.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n