Monospace: Blending Cultures, Sounds, and Culinary Delights in Chattanooga

Chattanooga, Tennessee is set to welcome a unique and captivating new concept venue in 2025 – Monospace. This innovative project is the brainchild of creative director Christopher Knowles and Craig Richards, the acclaimed chef and owner of Atlanta's renowned restaurant, Lyla Lila. Monospace will seamlessly blend vinyl records, shipping containers, and mouthwatering Italian cuisine, creating a one-of-a-kind experience for visitors.

Crafting a Multisensory Oasis in the Heart of Chattanooga

Embracing the Industrial Chic

Monospace will be housed within three shipping containers situated around a lush garden outside of Stove Works, a contemporary art center located in Chattanooga's Southside. This unique setting, with its blend of pastoral and industrial elements, will serve as the perfect backdrop for the venue's multifaceted offerings. Mattaforma, the New York-based design firm behind the acclaimed Public Records space in Brooklyn, has been tasked with bringing Monospace to life.The design concept for Monospace is an organic extension of the existing Stove Works environment, blending the industrial aesthetic with natural elements. Renders showcase a harmonious interplay of stone, brick, and corrugated materials, creating a rustic and inviting ambiance. Wooden beams cantilevering over a patio add to the overall character, reminiscent of the nursery at Public Records.

Fostering a Multisensory Experience

At the heart of Monospace lies a deep appreciation for the senses, with sound being a central focus. The venue's sound design and engineering have been entrusted to Chattanooga-based sound designer John White, ensuring a captivating auditory experience. A partially open shipping container will house a DJ booth and high-fidelity sound system with custom speakers, while an open area will serve as an ideal dance floor.Beyond the auditory realm, Monospace will cater to the culinary senses as well. Drawing inspiration from Richards' acclaimed Lyla Lila restaurant, the venue's cuisine will feature southern Italian fare, rich with fresh vegetables and complemented by a carefully curated vinyl collection spanning jazz, soul, disco, and high-synth new wave. During the daytime, Monospace will transform into a cafe, offering coffee, pastries, and an array of goods collected by Richards and Knowles, including cookbooks, art and design tomes, and eclectic records.

Fostering a Community-Driven Ethos

Monospace's vision extends beyond just a physical space; it aims to cultivate a community-driven experience akin to "friends getting together to share a great meal, discuss ideas, play records for each other and dance in the living room." This ethos is reflected in the venue's design, which encourages movement and interaction throughout the various spaces.The project's founders, Knowles and Richards, have already been hosting pop-up events in Chattanooga, offering a tantalizing preview of the culinary and musical delights that will be on offer at Monospace. The restaurant's Instagram page will serve as a hub for announcing future events, building anticipation and fostering a sense of community among the venue's patrons.

Expanding the Monospace Vision

Monospace's initial phase is set to open in the summer of 2025, but the founders have already set their sights on a second phase of the project. This expansion will involve the renovation of a historic stove factory into a boutique music-hall-meets-restaurant, further solidifying Monospace's position as a multifaceted cultural hub in Chattanooga.As the city eagerly awaits the arrival of Monospace, the project's unique blend of industrial chic, culinary excellence, and musical immersion promises to redefine the local cultural landscape. With its community-driven ethos and commitment to fostering a multisensory experience, Monospace is poised to become a must-visit destination for discerning travelers and locals alike.