Dec. 14—How can Silicon Valley cafeterias compete in the face of Google free-food bonanza? Facebook aimed for cool.
The tech company hired Roman & Williams--the ultra-hip powerhouse firm behind landmark projects like the Ace Hotel New York--to create their Epic Cafe. The architects are known for faux-nostalgic interiors, pieced together through an alchemy of heirloom furniture, found objects, warm woods, grommets, and occasionally, even flannel.
The resulting space is like your childhood lunchroom, reformulated for adults. It’s largely Roman & Williams, filled with postindustrial furniture (some discovered, some crafted), found print art (magazine clippings), exposed light bulbs, and plenty of rivets.