Recycled Glass Tile
 We're installing a beautiful recycled glass tile backsplash in the main cafe area! The tile is from our good friends at Ecohome Improvement -- if you haven't been over to their shop and paint bar and neighboring design studio, we recommend you make a trip! They've got green alternatives for many conventional building applications: tile, countertops, flooring, cabinets, no-voc paints (which we're using at the cafe), and much more! Check them out! Labels: build-out, community, green, sustainability
Reused, Salvaged, and Community Created Counter
 We've been working on our main counter for Phase One, the world-class espresso bar. At it's core, is a re-used lab table from UC Berkeley Overstock and Surplus Den. We cut off the legs to make in the legal height for ADA access and added casters. We're now adding to that a redwood facade using the salvaged redwood from the old drop ceiling at the Golden Bull. The countertop was fabricated out of stainless-steel by a friend of the Awaken Cafe and the whole thing was put together by other members of this community! Stay tuned for more photos when we get it complete!     Labels: build-out, community, green, salvage, sustainability
First Entry Way Mosaic Complete
Framing, Plumbing & Electrical Rough-in Complete
 We've completed all the framing, rough-in plumbing, and rough-in electrical for Phase One. Tomorrow the City of Oakland comes to sign off on the plumbing and then we can finish closing in all the walls with sheetrock. The facade is also nearing completion! We're so close, I can smell the coffee!   Labels: build-out
More Framing for Phase One
Let There Be Lights!
 Our new signs are powered by long-lasting, low-voltage LEDs, saving energy and a little bit of our Earth's natural resources. They also look fabulous at night! Labels: arts, build-out, green, sustainability
Entryway Mosaic Work in Progress
Framing Out Phase One
 We finished the ceiling in the Phase One area and started framing out the walls today! Labels: build-out
Tile Mosaics
 Aryana Farsai, a talented mosaic artist, is producing two custom pieces for our entryways using 80% reclaimed materials. Click on the photo for a sneak peak! You can find out more about her and contact her by visiting her blog. Labels: arts, build-out, community, green
More Photos of Our Awesome New Signs
Signage
 Thomas Sepe ( www.tomsepe.com) and Orion Fredericks are hard at work on the Awaken Cafe signs. There will be two signs, made up of patina'ed ("a complicated process involving heat and chemicals") letters set off against a polished stainless steel backing, all back lit with low voltage LED lighting.      Labels: build-out, community, green, parnters
Facade Photos
 It's been a while since we posted some photos of the construction of the facade. Here's the new windows installed and a photo of CAFE CREATORS Nik Greene and Alex Zendzian who helped yesterday on our first day of construction for Phase One. We've got a new team in place and we're on target to open Phase One by New Year's Day! Click on the photos to enlarge!   Labels: build-out, cafe creator, location
$100 CREATOR CARDS and 25% Extra on All Denominations
 We're pleased to announce we've added $100 CAFE CREATOR Cards and we're giving you 25% extra on all denominations! It's a great value for you and a great way to be a part of the community of people bringing the cafe into the world! Get yours today! Labels: build-out, cafe creator, perks, spread the word
The Facade is Being Built
 The facade is taking shape. There is a structure where a few weeks ago there was a gaping hole! The windows are on the way and our friend Thomas Sepe is working on our sign -- the Golden Bull will soon be no more. Here are some pictures --    Labels: build-out
Greening the Awaken Cafe
 Construction has begun on the Awaken Cafe! And with that the drive to use the greenest products available. We've already been educated about the difference between FSC and SFI certifications, we've tracking the flow of waste to recycling centers, and using natural insulation products.     Labels: build-out, green
Facade Construction Begins/Salvaged Equipment
 We started construction on the Awaken Cafe's new facade! We're pleased to welcome Anthony Bush of Bush Construction Company to the Awaken Cafe family and are excited to be entering the next stage of this project! Our neighbors the Jhava House have closed their doors and we're giving some of their equipment a second life at the Awaken Cafe. We got a group of friends together (including Doug Hawkins, Nik Greene, Katy Perrings, and Alex Zendzian) this weekend to move the equipment (which includes some sinks, a refrigerator, shelving, and other small products) down the street into our space!      Labels: build-out, community, green, salvage
The Health Department Approves!
 I picked up our plans for Phase One from the health department today. They've signed off! Next stop Building Permits! Labels: build-out, city of oakland
Salvaged Redwood
 We've begun pulling nails and re-stacking the salvaged redwood beams and sheathing from the old drop ceiling. This wood will be reused to build furniture, counters, accents, and other features in the new Cafe. Labels: build-out, green, salvage
After Demo Work
 We recently completed a soft demolition and salvage to prep the space for our remodel. We salvaged tons of redwood sheathing and beams which we will be planing and reusing for siding, accents, and furniture. We also uncovered a beautiful, corrugated art deco ceiling.    Labels: build-out, green, salvage
Demo In Progress
 This is the space being gutted and prepared for the Awaken Cafe. We've uncovered a brick wall and a beautiful art deco ceiling feature, salvaged redwood lumber from the drop ceiling, donated salvaged rock for someone's garden, and hauled away other metal and separated debris to recycling yards.    Labels: build-out, salvage
Above the Ceiling
 The new home for the Awaken Cafe has a drop ceiling which is obscuring the original 18' tall vaulted ceiling. We plan on removing the drop ceiling and opening up the space. Dan Antonioli, our green construction consultant, and I recently crawled around above the hung ceiling and found some interesting features and details which we should be able to restore and reveal. Pictured in the photos below are a corrugated ceiling over most of the bar area, arches over the former Asian buffet area, and some decorated, paned windows in the covered-over transom windows.    Labels: build-out, dan antonioli, location, salvage
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