Background
The refurbished UniCafe Kaivopiha opened in autumn 2019, looking better and running more efficiently than ever. More than 2,000 people eat at Helsinki’s largest student restaurant every day.
The aim of the refurbishment was to make the restaurant more functional, cosier and less noisy. INTO POINT sofas were chosen for the refurbished dining area to improve the acoustics and provide ergonomic seating areas.
Challenge
This large and bustling student canteen had to serve a considerable number of customers every day. The space required solutions that would improve user comfort, reduce noise levels and create a more homely atmosphere.
A number of measures were taken to improve the acoustics. Floor materials with good impact sound insulation properties were chosen for the space, and elements to improve the acoustics, such as thick woollen partition curtains, were added to the restaurant. The furniture was also chosen to support this same objective.
Solution
As regards the furniture, INTO Concept’s products were chosen to enhance the soundscape POINT sofas. Fully upholstered sofas add a touch of softness to the room and improve the acoustics.
The sofas’ high-quality woollen backrests and wipe-clean seat cushions bring a much-needed splash of colour to the restaurant and make the furniture easy to look after. The sofas are recycled: they were previously used sparingly at trade fairs, and their seats have been reupholstered with wipeable fabric.
Sofa arrangements help to divide up a large space whilst also organising the loose furniture. They anchor some of the tables and small chairs in place in front of the sofas.
The sofas are designed to be the right height for dining and firm enough for sitting for longer periods and studying.
In a separate, cosy, dark-toned meeting room, the sofas serve as additional seating when the chairs around the conference table are all taken. The sofa-equipped meeting room also works well as a venue for small private events and as an extension of the dining area.
Results from
Following the refurbishment, UniCafe Kaivopiha has been transformed into a more functional, cosier student restaurant that serves its customers better.
POINT sofas They improve the restaurant’s acoustics, bring softness and colour to the space, and help to organise the large dining area into a more coherent whole. They support the versatile use of the space for dining, studying, relaxing, meetings and small private events.
Recycled sofas and reupholstered seating complement the overall look in a practical and sustainable way. The end result is a revamped UniCafe that serves its customers better than ever.
