Our client approached us with a vision and a poem. He desired an unique cafe experience that promoted civic and community engagement through impromptu conversations with neighbor, barista, invited political speakers, and community meetings. The place is called Cafe Republic. The heart of the space is a wood box created from strips of salvaged oak from damaged or diseased local trees. The box forms the ceiling, booth seating, community bookshelf, floor, and espresso bar. The entrance is covered in salvaged slate chalk boards. Some smaller boards of slate can be removed and used during conversations or presentations. Current materials under consideration: galvanized, corrugated steel at the exterior of the counter, a durable countertop made from recycled paper, and salvaged steel pipes used as a screening element for more private seating in the back. Windows in the back overlook a small, urban food garden.