Make Space: How to Set the Stage for Creative Collaboration by Scott Doorley and Scott Witthoft
I have never been a person who works well at a desk in their room. At least, not productive work. Going down random rabbit holes of crafts? Sure! That’s easy! Sitting and checking off what needs to get done on the computer that day? Nearly impossible. More often than not, my desk at home becomes a landing place for laundry, sketch books, Roku TV that I am too lazy to hang up, knick knacks galore. These piles are usually at least a mile high. It’s what I call organized chaos. My mother would say “For the love, take your meds and clean your room”.
My desk at home. Medium level messy.
In 2019 I began my senior year of high school and there was work to be done. It was time to finish strong. Most of my friends and I were in the same Calculus and English classes. Eventually we found ourselves meeting up at the same spot almost everyday: Kava Konnection.
Kava Konnection pictured by VisitGreenvilleSC.com
While reading Make Space, I immediately thought of how Kava ruined my life forever. It has been a while since I was in high school, but through undergrad and into graduate school I have found myself using Kava as my blueprint for what I am looking for when I venture out to do work: the perfect comfy, cozy place. Kava is an eclectic local “tea” shop on Wade Hampton Boulevard. It seemed to be a hub for some interesting collection of college students, amateur musicians and my high school friend group. Since Coffee Underground’s recent backroom remodel, it remains one of the only places in Greenville (that I have found) that has the perfect ratio of ambiance, soundtrack, with space to move, and activities.
Coffee Underground Quiet Room Before (Left) and After (right)
To provide a visual for anyone who might be unfamiliar and explain the criteria in my brain for this sought after perfect spot, let’s start with the ambiance. Ambiance, as described in the reading, is “an expression of emotional tone…Creating the right ambiance is a highly nuanced art form…”. I would describe Kava as having a balance of relaxed and active. Through the space, the seating options vary between small and larger tables. What you would typically find in any kind of coffee shop. And cushy comfy couches with tables or just facing each other. Depending on the customer’s intention of being in the space, the seating caters to this mood. For me, this is an important part of what makes a space where I want to spend my time. There is room to sprawl. Natural light is available but shaded so the overall space feels safe. You aren’t out in the open with a spotlight shining in your face. Although the space is open late and I have done of fair share of closing the place down, you can always tell the time of day.
This seems like a simply goal for any kind of space like this to achieve, but from my searching. It is hard to successfully accomplish. Paired with the physical, Kava was a place where you could find new music, jam to songs you know, or even hear some random person singing if the night was very special. Most of the time it was just playing over the speakers. My friends and I never looked at the calendar for their Open Mic nights but I will tell you it was always a sweet surprise when someone would whip out a saxophone and start wailing from the bottom of their hearts. What makes Kava so successful is that I think they are holding on to the eclectic charm that is the essence of what spaces of the past once were. Prime example being the coffeehouse from the show Friends, Central Perk.
Central Perk
In a LinkedIn article written by Steffen Schwartz explains how Starbucks originally rose to fame because they were honing in on this idea of the ultimate comfy, cozy spot. Comfortable seating, music, distinct interiors. There wasn’t a rush to get in and out. Since the accelerated rise in technology, the article explains how Starbucks beloved coffeehouse vibe has evolved into a “caffeine station”. Order, collect, leave as fast as possible. The key paradox to this modern trend is that everyone has become so good at designing spaces that are convenient and have become increasing worse that making a space have any meaning.
Yes, I want to be productive and get work done. But why does that mean we have to sacrifice the Central Perk charm? Why does scaling a business require the stripping of any personality? When is enough enough? It is hard not to give up hope. Especially in a place like Greenville. Even my small college town of Auburn, Alabama is starting to show the effects of these changes. Everyone is fighting for the top spot of the most luxurious and the quickest. But who is fighting for the places that are just good all round?
Alas… my search will continue.
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