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A view into a restaurant with modern decor, bar, and table seating.

Cork & Craft

Transforming Campus Dining Through Inclusive Design

Location
Tucson, AZ
Client
University of Arizona
Practices
Interiors, BrandX
Size
3,800
Year
2023
Awards
Architizer A+ Awards Special Mention
A woman reads a menu in the hallway for a modern restaurant. The words "Cork & Craft" are painted on the wall.

Situated at the center of the University of Arizona’s campus along the renowned Main Mall, Cork & Craft stands as UA’s inaugural full-service restaurant offering beer, wine, and spirits.

A comprehensive approach

Our team’s approach to this project merged the perspectives of an interior architect and a brand experience designer, allowing us to successfully meet the client’s vision. We celebrated the restaurant’s partnership with the university’s dining facilities and the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, creating an identity that resonates with the UA community.

A woman flips through a multi-page menu while sitting at a table. The bench seats are a bright orange.
A detail view of the corner bar and room dividing curtain.

Every design element of Cork & Craft, from its name to the signage and palette, was carefully chosen to reflect its unique identity. The name pays homage to the on-site wine and beer service, while the signage and graphics mirror the interior’s furniture and fixtures. The palette, inspired by the building’s materials, creates a cohesive brand experience.

Two small groups of people sit at low tables in a restaurant. Behind the tables is a black wall with a colorful graphic.

Our project was guided by two key objectives: inclusivity and inter-university collaboration. We designed an experience that caters to a diverse range of patrons, from students and faculty to visiting parents, school tours, and even specialty dean or professor visits.

The inclusion of hand-crafted beer brewed in-house by the UA College of Agriculture and Life Sciences enhances the appeal. The new roll-up door allows for an indoor/outdoor bar experience, maximizing visibility to the main mall and the ability to leverage the year-round Tucson weather.

A waitress pours wine at a table. Several tables of diners are chatting and enjoying dinner. The patio doors are open and it is a sunny day.

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Additional Credits
Photographer: Dan Ryan
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