Cafe REX Observations (Helsinki)

Insight 1: Physical context: Easily accessible

Café REX is located in the lobby of the Bio REX cinema between the two entrances to the single theatre (hall). There is no entrance or doorway to the café itself. It can be accessed in two ways: through the entrance to Bio REX and up a broad flight of stairs or from Cable Book Library on the first floor.

The lobby in which the café is located has high ceilings. The right wall and part of the front wall are glass: windows extend from floor to ceiling. The back and left walls are solid. Behind the back wall is the movie theatre. Behind the front wall is the Cable Book Library. The bar counter of Café REX is located in the back wall between the two entrances to the theatre. The tables and chairs are on the right side of the bar. There are movie posters on the left wall separating Bio REX from Cable Book Library and rest of Lasipalatsi. The posters are of movies currently showing, coming attractions as well as movie classics from the past (take photo). There is a “storage area” for the summer terrace chairs behind the stairs.

The décor in the lobby reflects the Jugend style architecture of Lasipalatsi. There is lots of light during the summer because of the windows. Sounds echo in this space. Lounge and Cuban music plays constantly. The music is picked by the café workers and played from cds.

During the winters the café seats approximately 40 people. In the summers because of the terrace the number is at least double.

Insight 2: People: Favorite place of library goers

Café REX draws a diverse crowd consisting of creative professionals, students, immigrants, and tourists. Some of the same people also frequent Cable Book Library: being next door it’s easy to come there for a coffee, tea or beer after using the library. Moreover, the creative professionals, and tourists are drawn to the place because of its architecture and history.

Right before a movie starts the lobby is filled with a new group of people: the moviegoers. They are from different professions and levels of society. Some of moviegoers grab something to drink or eat at the café before the film. However, most of these people would not come to the café just to hangout.

During the summers the crowd is more diverse than during the winters because of the summer terrace, one of the most popular in the city. A lot less people go to the café during the winter months. It’s easy to spot the regulars during this time of year.

Insight 3: Activities: Meetings and hanging-out

Café REX is a popular meeting place for African immigrants in Helsinki. Its proximity to the Cable Book Library and relative proximity to the central railway station contribute to its popularity. Furthermore, its location in the lobby of a cinema means that it’s possible to spend time there without having to consume something from the café. This is a bonus for low income and unemployed people in need of a meeting place in the center of Helsinki.

Occasionally private parties are organized in the lobby of Bio REX. On these occasions the café is closed to the public.

Insight 4: Technology: Whose network?

There are 2 free touch-screen Internet kiosks in the lobby of Bio REX. People who have not been able to get on a computer next door in Cable Book Library come to use these kiosks. Also those who like to avoid the lines at the library come directly to the lobby. The kiosks have been designed for short Internet usage sessions: they require the user to stand and use a virtual keyboard.

Café REX is known to have free public wi-fi, however, the café owners have not set up the network. Like in Cable Book Library wi-fi is a service provided by the organization running Lasipalatsi. The bar manager at Café REX was not sure where the base-station was located. He guessed it was inside theatre, which would explain why the signal is the strongest at the bar counter. However, one of people I interviewed believed it to be at Mbar. I believe the manager was right about the location of the base station.

Regardless of where the signal was coming from I was able to connect effortlessly to the network. Indeed the signal is the strongest at the bar counter and it extends to the terrace. The same signal covers the Cable Book Library.

Photos

Entrance from Cable Book Library
Entrance from Bio REX
Bio REX lobby
Internet kiosks
"Storage area" (on left)
Wi-fi user at terrace
Meeting in Cafe REX
Another meeting
Glass walls
Wi-fi user in the "storage area"
Wi-fi user at the bar
Internet kiosk users
Wi-fi user (bar closed)
Terrace