Sozial und Durstig Cafeteria

The idea of a cafeteria at University of Arts and Design Karlsruhe had been floating around for years. Initiatives came and went but nothing stuck. Sozial und Durstig (social and thirsty) was an attempt to create a space that could hold all of it: a place for the university community, across all departments, for cooking, eating, or simply being together.

 Beyond the spatial design, the project required a structural solution - how could the space sustain itself long-term? Students and staff were involved throughout the process, not only to shape the design, but to build a sense of shared ownership from the start.

 The spatial structure follows a layered system. Layer 0: a scaffolding grid running through the entire room, independent from the heritage-protected building, carrying water, electricity, and enabling future changes. Layer 1: functional elements including a kitchen, mobile modules, storage, and a quieter lounge area integrated into the grid. Layer 2: a stock of extra scaffolding parts, explicitly meant for building stages, walls, or tables — whatever the community needs next. The structure doesn't dictate use. It enables it.