Co-designing ada_kantine

"We are a restaurant, not a soup kitchen" – the appreciation that ada_kantine shows its guests is a core element of its concept.

There is table service, set tables and a three-course menu made from rescued food – all creating an atmosphere of dignity and care. However, this standard is not reflected in the current furniture. Many guests have health or physical issues and cannot sit comfortably on the existing chairs for long periods.

Within the framework of WDC 2026, we are collaborating with the Adaistas to develop a furniture series made largely from reclaimed materials, which we plan to produce together this summer. Through a participatory design process, we are creating furniture that highlights our appreciation for our guests, as well as a modular furniture system designed to lighten the workload for volunteers.

The project focuses on easing the workload of ada_kantine's volunteers and enhancing solidarity-oriented spaces in the public realm. Future users are to become the main actors in the process, experiencing how a place can be transformed through collective effort.

Co-design process: April and May 2026
Building activities: July – September 2026