Worldly Café from DAS Architects

by Amy L. Webb

DAS Architects are bringing the magic they used to reinvent Le Bec-Fin to a new music venue in West Philadelphia.

WXPN-FM, the University of Pennsylvania's radio station, is headquartering its syndicated radio show "World Café" in a concept-driven gathering place. The venture, called World Café Live, will be located at the Hajoca Building -- 3025 Walnut St. -- and feature two live music spaces.

DAS principal architects Susan M. Davidson and David A. Schultz conceptualized the interior as a fusion between old and new, and wanted to find a way to bring the heart of the station to the inside of the buildings.

"This will be a space for adults to enjoy world music," says Davidson. "We've blended contemporary elements with familiar folk items. The concept is very unique."

DAS is currently working on the exterior entry façade and marquee design and plans to maintain the art deco style. The 38,000-square-foot space inside is wide open with high ceilings. As guests enter on the second floor, they will walk into Upstairs Live, a 100-seat café-bar and performance space. Here, multicolored carpeting has been designed to look like a brightly colored woven rag rug. The bar has a backdrop of rustic wood and ceramic pots hang from the ceilings.

Walking through the café, patrons will have a view down through to the dinner theater area and to the WXPN studio. The grand staircase is still in development, Davidson says, but plans are to incorporate angled planes fitted with a changing display of video and art.

Downstairs Live will function as the main concert hall with 24-foot ceilings and theatrical lighting fixtures. The rooms should seat between 350 and 500 people and have a more modern feel, with a color scheme of teal, silver and black. Tables will have wood tops and special inlays featuring logos, art and announcements. "This will be an intimate live concert setting," Davidson says. "Everyone will have a good seat."

Two other firms are working on the project. Center City-based Bower Lewis Thrower Architects will complete building renovations and Ardmore-based Meyer Associates will redesign the studios and WXPN offices, which will also relocate to the building. Total costs for the project will top $15 million by its expected completion in October.

DAS recently finished work on Bliss, the new restaurant at 220 S. Broad St. The firm is also working on the Bedminster, N.J.-area Pluckemin Inn, whose dining room features a three-story glass wine rack.

For more information and artist renderings for the World Café Live, see www.worldcafelive.com.

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