South Seattle College

Alki Cafe

South Seattle College (SSC) requested JP’s expertise to renovate Alki Cafe, an existing campus dining room, into a grab-and-go coffee shop lounge style space. The design team evaluated the existing space and the adjacent instructional kitchen, providing recommendations that focused on creating more convenience to students and faculty alike. The cafe, which is located in the student union building, is part of the college’s culinary arts program and is run by students. 

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

• Led a team of technical professionals to produce the schematic design.
• Managed all stakeholder communication.
• The SSC-selected scheme features a point-of-sale counter with grab & go foods and an espresso bar with pour-over stations.
• Multiple types of seating are available to patrons, including lounge style seating, chair and table seating, and a large bar height communal table that doubles as a buffet surface for special events.
• Care was taken to include eco-friendly, acoustic finishes throughout the space to absorb noise, such as cork bark wall tiles and recycled wood pulp wall panels.
• The space also features composite, recycled paper countertops that are often used to make cutting boards, and are impervious to moisture and bacteria growth.
• Touchless systems were installed to the extent possible to minimize pathogen exposure.
• The team also coordinated the selection of college furnished equipment, as well as the utility infrastructure for the equipment, to provide a seamless install and operation for the owner.

Located on an 87-acre hilltop campus in West Seattle, SSC was founded in 1970 and is one of three community colleges that make up the Seattle Colleges District.