ARCHITECT

THE PARKER – a vegetarian cafe

Union Street . Vancouver . BC . Canada . 2012

Michel Laflamme Architect

Context
This tiny 590 sf space, located in a brand new multi-purpose building, faces a park on the south side. The street is vibrant and doubles up as a major bike route.

Problematic
How to make a small space feel grand and uncluttered with a kitchen located within the same room?

Solution
Wrap-around mirrors at eye level contribute to expanding the space beyond the confines of the room. The kitchen is integrated into the bar to increase efficiency and minimize its visual impact.

Materials
The bar, tables and built-in bench are constructed with the humblest of materials: figured fir plywood – the type skateboarders use to build their ramps. The unstained wood gives the space an air of freshness, which suits well the delicate fare prepared in front of your eyes.