Robbinsdale, MN
In progress
PKA Architecture
Travis Van Liere Studio

The Travail Collective is a memorable dining experience in the heart of Robbinsdale, MN pioneered by Travail’s co-chefs. In collaboration with PKA Architecture, the project creates a new experience-fueled venue for dining, performances, and a playground for their wildest ideas. 

Simple, flexible yet unexpected. The design approach for the rear courtyard, roof-top terrace, and front entry was to underscore the collective dualities of Travail: bold, yet unrefined. The proposed 30’ tall vine screen wall, born from the building’s ribbing, boldly announces the Travail experience, defines the rear entry as the primary threshold, and knits the landscape into the urban fabric. Counter to this statement, refined interventions were incorporated to provide refreshing and calming elements to the site. The reclaimed wood paver walkway in the rear courtyard, vine screens along the rooftop terrace, and planted boulevard along the front entry are a soft counterbalance to the Travail energy.

The overall design was made to be flexible programmatically and for all weather conditions to promote “guerrilla” activation i.e. the rollout and activation of parking areas for special days/events. The design embraced movable and modular furniture to allow the clients to arrange the spaces according to their imaginations.