proposal 1

a food service system that seeks to mitigate the cultural barriers between immigrants and their communities thereby fostering social integration in their communities.

rotating food pop-up network, located at public libraries

The rotating food pop-up network functions where pop-up food stations are located around the city at public libraries. The pop-up stations change on a weekly basis and patrons are able to establish a mental association between libraries and a unique dining experience.

food stations within the network

Libraries are accessible, community hubs that serve diverse populations and are trusted spaces that encourage learning and community engagement. Their existing infrastructure and welcoming environment make them a good location for the food stations within the system that encourage dialogue, celebrate cultural heritage, and strengthen connections between people.

The stations exist as a micro-cultural experience between an immigrant / local and another immigrant / local where they are embedded within the culture of the individual cooking. They are able to observe, ask, participate in the cultural experience and this happens on both ends for the immigrants and their communities as well.

The stations exist as a micro-cultural experience between an immigrant / local and another immigrant / local where they are embedded within the culture of the individual cooking. They are able to observe, ask, participate in the cultural experience and this happens on both ends for the immigrants and their communities as well.

Food station layouts and proposals - designed for 8-12 patrons to engage with the chef at the food station

Food station final proposed layout with potential for more than one chef to prepare and interact with patrons

18’

8’

user groups

‘the chef’

Immigrant chef - non-American

Local businesses

Cooking skill level can range from amateur skilled cook to professional chef

‘the patron’

U.S local

Immigrants - share the same background

Immigrants - comes from background

‘the chef’ user journey

the chef interested in reserving the station makes the station reservation for the weekend either in-person with personnel at the library or online via an app/website

the chef arrives at the library and prepares their set up after their booking. The modular station is assembled and customized by the chef to represent their cultural background and heritage as they please. This also lets people know what culture is being represented in the pop-up

at the station, the chef prepares food and interacts with the people that come up and engage at the station while they are able to learn about the chef's background through demonstration, observation and engagement and vice versa.

at the end of the day / weekend, the station is stripped down(de-customized) into it's frame in preparation for another person to book it and use it. The key to the station is turned in to the library personnel

‘the patron’ user journey

The patron discovers food station network while walking around neighborhood / library and stumbling upon unique dining experience setup or through posters around library

patron arrives at the stations to dine and engage in experience. They discover that tapas style dishes are served and that a token system is used where people purchase tokens in exchange for a given number of tapas style dishes

tapas style dishes are used at the stations to provide a wide range of options to explore. The patron is able to try a range of dishes, low commitment and have a high level of cultural exposure through dishes

after purchasing their tapas dishes, the patron is able to watch and engage in meaningful conversation / exchange with the chef at the station but also to participate in a micro cultural experience at the station - immersing themselves in the culture the station represents e.g seating, utensils etc

the patron comes by the station or wonders around the city another time and realizes it's a different chef and station setup. The pop-up stations rotate on a weekly basis and keep this element of discovery, limited exclusivity and surprise alive

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Research & Analysis - Phase 1

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Research & Analysis - Phase 2