The name “All Square" is a reference to the notion that those who have paid their debts to society are square and free to move forward with a clean slate, as well as a nod to the shape of the fast-casual restaurant’s signature dish. The Minneapolis grill cheese eatery offers its formerly incarcerated employees a professional¬-development fellowship in addition to a living wage. To give the non-profit mission and branding of All Square a physical presence, the project uses the name and motif of the ‘Square’ as the starting point and repeats it at varying dimensions throughout the space. The square is materialized as mirrors and aluminum frames to form boundaries that divide and unify the people in the space. Altogether the lights, mirror, and frames physically and visually shape the room by encouraging the occupants to “Don’t Judge, Just Eat,” and to look closely to the other side. These elements partition, focus, and unify the interactions between users that are both frontal and planned —the point of sales, at the bar, at the entrance—as well as, indirect and unplanned. They create connections without distinction by making occupants sequence through the space with self-awareness.
All Square
Architecture Office

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Designer
Client
Emily Turner, CEO All Square
Floor area
120.00 ㎡
Completion
2018