"Give, take and enjoy" is the theme of the dining hall, which was designed by people studying at SWPS University. However, their work is more than just a project done as part of their studies - it's a physically realized space that breaks stereotypes.
The food court was located on the university's campus, next to the library. It's an installation where you can leave surplus food of your own, or use the food someone left behind earlier. It can be used by all students, academic staff, administration and residents of the area.
The dining hall at SWPS
photo: Dominik Cudny
The Dining Room is not aimed solely at those in need. The idea is to share the surplus, but also to use what others have left without restraint. So it's not about charity, but about building together a responsible community that cares about each other and the planet
- says Zuzanna Jakubik, sustainability manager at SWPS University and initiator of the project.
no more wasting food
The project was created in collaboration between students from the School of Form, who created the installation of the Eatery, as well as those from the Graphic Design course, responsible for the visual identity of the initiative. The project would not have been realized if it were not for the Sustainability Office, the administration department and the teaching staff.
The eatery at SWPS
photo: Dominik Cudny
The project team consisted of Helena Zdrojewska, Łukasz Machnowski, Michalina Kaczmarek and Olga Plewnicka. The installation was made of birch plywood and Boomplastic panels , which were made from recycled plastic. Technical support was provided to the students by Szymon Pasierb and Zosia Parzych from the carpentry studio.
Dining room at SWPS
Photo: Dominik Cudny
The design of the eatery stems from research the authors conducted on the use of other such places. To offset concerns about the freshness of food, the design uses sliding fronts and large openings. Like the transparent refrigerator, they allow you to look inside.
We wanted the dining room to be not only practical, but also inviting. We wanted it to be possible to look inside without worrying about what we would find there
- emphasizes Helena Zdrojewska, a USWPS student majoring in Graphic Design.
Since the installation is located next to the library, the authors decided to turn part of the development into a book exchange point.
more than just a student project
The visual identity - the logotype, the foil on the refrigerator window, posters, flyers and stickers acting as signposts - was designed by Wiktoria Kurzawa. They are dominated by the color orange, associated with both food and warmth.
The food court at SWPS
Photo: Dominik Cudny
The name "eatery" already in itself contains an important distinctive element, which became the starting point for the entire visual identity system. The motif of sharing was the main idea of the project and was reflected through shapes referring to sharing. In turn, the aspect of food, present in the name, was translated into the other visual forms used in the system
- explains the designer.
The disturbed symmetry in the logotype of the eatery arose not from aesthetic motives, but from symbolism. It is meant to refer to the social inequalities that are associated with access to food. The project is crowned with an animation, prepared by Julia Danielska.
Eatery at SWPS - inauguration, project team.
photo: Dominik Cudny
Rafal Furtak - director of the Administration Department, Jolanta Starzak - coordinator of the design faculty, Anna Krudowska - sustainability specialist, and Martyna Obarka - coordinator of the School of Ideas faculty are also responsible for running the project.
Theinauguration of the eatery took place during the lunch break on October 16 in the main lobby of the university. During the event, Paulina Grabowska, a lecturer at USWPS, gave a short lecture on the problem of food waste and about Food Trails - an international project to support urban food policies. Attendees were invited to share food at a communal table.
Eatery at SWPS - inauguration, by Zuzanna Jakubik.
Photo: Dominik Cudny
The Dining Room at SWPS University does not have a charitable function, but nevertheless its establishment is equally noble. The creators want to draw attention to the problem with food waste and encourage everyone, not just those in need, to share. Initiatives like this one have the potential to change the practices of entire communities in line with the slogan on the neon sign next to the installation: "Give, take & enjoy."
