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A borderless local work café with a social mission
Kleurrijk is a food & work café in the heart of Nijverdal with a clear social mission. Meeting, connecting and making social impact. A vibrant meeting place where different food cultures create atmosphere & flavour. Where guests can enjoy boundless dishes, drinks and products with a story. Where the multicultural team of staff do meaningful work. Where newcomers are offered a place of experience to use, discover or further develop their talents (through the Culture Kitchen Foundation’s talent programmes).
A fascinating location with an inspiring, sustainable interior. Through the Kaja & Co Design Sprint, the Kaja team, together with the initiators behind Kleurrijk, architectural EVE Architects, Van Gestel grootkeukentechniek and contracting company Hegeman, had the opportunity to contribute to this special project. From interior design to execution. From second chance furniture to customisation. This project had it all. Kaja Interieurs was allowed to design and realise both the eatery and the work café. In this case, we take you through the result of the work café Kleurrijk.
An experience for
Kleurrijk wanted to create a work café that could also be used as a small-scale event location. A location where companies like to come and where their visit makes an impact by contributing to the mission of Eet- & werkcafé Kleurrijk. An inspiring meeting place for companies looking for a creative, culinary and cultural experience.
From meeting arrangements to brainstorming sessions. From flex work spaces to office greenhouses. From landing spots to a small theatre. Cooking workshops for your team or a complete mazze buffet for a networking event. That’s what business guests can come to this Colourful Work Café for. The result is unique and sustainable. And it all started with that first kick-off session from the Design Sprint.
Unique and sustainable
‘They were three commercial properties with three different layouts, appearances and installations. Together, these three properties had to become one. From the initiators’ business concept and architectural designs, we translated it into a work café with a unique experience. Original, cosy and Middle-Eastern character characterise the atmosphere at this location,’ says Stefanie Aarninkhof.
“The size of the building, the desired flexible character, a good acoustic climate and the height of this building of over 5 metres, were clear from the start, but made this project a real challenge,” adds Marc Schwarte.
Hybrid designs
The initiators were also keen to give the interior a social and sustainable character. This means that most of the furnishings have been given a second chance. Apart from the catering kitchen, bar, stand and office greenhouses, almost every piece of furniture or appliance is circular or second-hand. That really requires a different mindset and way of designing, budgeting and realisation. We have given it the term ‘hybrid design’.
During the dismantling of each of the three buildings, materials were separated and reused. You can clearly see this, for instance, in the spotlights in the theatre, in the office and in the toilets. The large orange lampshades are also a nice sustainable example of reuse or upcycling.
Furniture selection
Also from Kaja Interiors, we mainly used reused furniture during this Design Sprint. Think of furniture with a dent or a scratch from our returns corner. Re-upholstering chairs or stools we took back from other customers after redecorating their business. Demo furniture that has been taken to a trade fair or lighting from collections that are no longer being made. From what was in stock, we completely selected, budgeted and furnished the approved interior design for the work café. The trick was to make it one whole and keep it that way. But thanks to the fine co-creation form during this process, we succeeded completely.
Design Sprint team
Putting together a multidisciplinary Design Sprint team in advance for the remodelling of such a commercial space is really a very valuable move. For the speed of action, the cooperation and for the result. Everyone thought along from an open mindset, from his or her expertise towards the desired result.
Not thinking about what cannot be done, but rather thinking about solutions that can. Because who comes up with a semi-circular stand in a work café? Well we do. Also a huge compliment to the construction partner who eventually built the entire theatre. That is another fine form of boundless local cooperation and co-creation.
Be sure to take a look for yourself at the work café in Nijverdal.
