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Bringing People Together Through Shared Meals: Designing a Communal Space with Cosentino To Strengthen Communities
Datin Shen-Tel Lee shares inspirational design ideas for her latest project – Community Social Support Centre in Kuching, a collaborative initiative that serves the local community
Having shared meals brings people together, builds communities and creates a sense of belonging. Whether it is with a friend, a co-worker, or even a loved one, eating together allows you to spend quality time getting to know them better both for work or leisure. From creating a communal dining space where business conversations can be initiated in your office, or simply a space to invite your family and friends to dine and exchange quality conversations at home, discover why you should invest in a communal space and the designs you can incorporate.
Datin Shen-Tel Lee Co-founder of Bowerhaus and Sereni & Shentel and Dato Bobby Ting of Elica recently unveiled their passionate collaborative initiative – Community Social Support Centre (CSSC) in Kuching which was designed as a space where the community can connect to tackle social issues together. The heart of the CSSC features a communal dining space designed with the sustainable Silestone Ethereal Collection by Cosentino. Explore why they have decided to incorporate a communal dining space into their designs that you can get inspiration from for your very own space.
Create a cafe setting to instill a warm and welcoming ambience so you can connect with others
A communal dining space represents the heart of a home or space. As the CSSC was designed for a place where people can come for help and assistance, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere was a crucial part of the design. “To ensure that the built environment was warm and inviting, a communal dining space and cafe setting were what we envisioned for our design. We wanted an ideal space for people to gather and share their thoughts and issues in a relaxed environmentshared Datin Shen-Tel.
To warm up the space, Datin Shen-Tel chose the classic and elegant Silestone Ethereal Glow for the communal dining space at CSSC. Datin Shen-Tel shared that “the surface warms the room and gives it a distinctive look. The contemporary cut and finish give it character and it sets the tone of the modern aesthetic we wanted to present. The colour palette also allowed us to mix and match it with the rest of the décor easily”. Its golden and grey veining merges with a tinged white foundation, running through the entire design and bringing an accent of colour to every corner, which can be easily decked up with simple decorative touches.
A space where you can focus on having meals together worry-free
Eating together is a welcoming social activity, it provides a means of generating conversations and “nothing breaks down barriers quicker than when you are seated with someone over handmade food and an icy beverage,” shared Datin Shen-Tel, where people can connect on another level. Sometimes, having meals or drinks can lead to accidental spills, so it must be taken into consideration so that you can focus on spending time together rather than worrying about the cleanup that you have to do later. The Silestone Ethereal Collection by Cosentino is highly resistant to stains and scratches, all you have to do is wipe it down with a damp cloth and that will do the trick, so you can have your meals together worry-free!
Designing an adaptable and versatile space that withstands the test of time
A space is made meaningful when it is filled with people whom you can create memories with, year after year. As the fondest memories are made when gathered around the table, whether for dining, cooking, gathering or celebrating, it is crucial to opt for durable, sustainable and long-lasting materials that can withstand any unexpected impacts and scratches from any activities.
In the case of CSSC, it is a space where people will come and go to seek help and assistance at any time of the day throughout the year. It is a priority that the space must be durable that can withstand the test of time and various circumstances considering the crowds that will be visiting the space. As the Silestone Ethereal Collection by Cosentino is highly resistant to scratches and impacts, it is an ideal choice. It is versatile and adaptable to various situations, be it as countertops, worktops, walls or floors, it can be implemented in different parts of the space. The possibilities are endless!
