Matchhead Coffee

Teams across the Bodwé family collaborated with Radiant Church to design a new café for their urban campus located on the historic Kalamazoo Mall in downtown Kalamazoo.

The church purchased the multi-level tenant space with the sole intention of opening a café and making it a destination for everyone downtown to enjoy. It was important to church leaders that the café be free of religious branding to create a welcoming social setting for people of all faiths and backgrounds to enjoy. The space’s long, deep geometry was modulated through a plywood structural bay design which helped to create smaller zones. These zones were then adapted to frame the service and counter area, library-style shelving, merchandise display, and pieces from the local art community are available for purchase throughout.

The project was purposefully designed to create flexibility within the interior floorplan and customer seating zones of the café so that groups of all sizes feel welcome to use the space for their unique needs. A variety of furniture types translates to an open feeling of collaborative energy throughout the lively space. Additionally, outdoor seating is provided.

This dedication to the community extends beyond the café design, as the church uses the coffee shop’s proceeds to benefit various outreach programs, including a partnership with Communities in Schools to provide winter gear to students attending Kalamazoo Public Schools.

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At the rear of the café is a main center staircase, connecting the first floor to the second-floor worship space. In keeping the worship area separate from the public café, it was important to create a space for all to feel they belong without having to fit inside a preconceived member group. The café was designed to encourage an open flow of energy while providing a home for both solo travelers and groups in the welcoming, walkable downtown community.

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