Student: Carys Ursell

Angel’s Haven Café & Library is a community-centered adaptive reuse project located along Main Street in Springville, New York, reimagining the existing Art’s Café buildings as a calm, inclusive space where reading, creativity, and social connection intersect. The design blends the intimacy of a library with the warmth of a café, using soft curves, pastel tones, sculptural bookshelves, and layered lighting to create an environment that feels welcoming, restorative, and safe for a wide range of users. Programmatically, the project is organized across multiple levels, offering a variety of spatial experiences—from quiet library seating and reading nooks to café seating, art gallery space, collaborative work areas, performance and entertainment zones, and small conference rooms—allowing visitors to choose how they engage with the space throughout the day and evening. Material selections such as dusty rose and sage plaster, oak wood, brass accents, wallpaper, and frosted glass reinforce the project’s gentle atmosphere while maintaining a refined architectural identity. A rooftop garden and fire pit seating extend the experience outdoors, supporting seasonal gathering and reflection. Overall, Angel’s Haven is envisioned as a safe haven for the community: a hybrid cultural space that supports productivity, creativity, and belonging while strengthening Springville’s social and civic fabric.