Transforming Constraints into Opportunities: Ivy Café

Neda Mirani's Award-Winning Design Utilizes Local Resources for a Unique Café Experience

Neda Mirani, the designer behind Ivy Café, faced a significant challenge when starting the project: how to achieve economic efficiency, fast implementation, and create a distinctive atmosphere in the city. The solution lay in the local resources of the area. Mazandaran region, where the café is located, is home to many factories that provide cement blocks for construction projects. This abundance, coupled with the reasonable price, modularity, and pure texture of the blocks, made them the ideal choice for the project.

But the use of cement blocks was not the only innovative aspect of the design. Mirani also chose to incorporate a living plant tissue into the café's design. The plant, a type of miniature ivy suitable for indoor spaces, provided a colorful touch and contributed significantly to the vitality of the space. This combination of cement blocks and ivy not only created a unique aesthetic but also influenced the café's name.

The Ivy Café is a testament to the high capability of materials in creating space. The main part of the project is the cement block, complemented by other materials such as metal and living plant tissue. This design approach resulted in a café that is not only distinctive but also cost-effective and quick to implement.

The project, which covers an area of 80 square meters, started in February 2020 and was completed in July 2020. It is an example of how creativity can flourish within constraints, turning limitations into opportunities. The design's success is reflected in its recognition by the prestigious A' Design Award, where it was awarded Silver in the Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design category in 2021.

In conclusion, Neda Mirani's Ivy Café is a shining example of innovative design that utilizes local resources to their fullest potential. It serves as an inspiration for designers worldwide, demonstrating that constraints can indeed be transformed into opportunities with a touch of creativity.