Arktura recently partnered with Mychal’s Café to enhance the acoustic quality of their new location in Redondo Beach, CA. Mychal’s Café is a social enterprise run by Mychal’s Learning Place, a local non-profit organization that provides valuable employment opportunities to youth with developmental disabilities while creating a warm, welcoming dining experience for the community.
As a workplace for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, Mychal’s Café needed an environment that fosters clear communication and a comfortable dining atmosphere. The challenge was to improve acoustics without disrupting the functionality or aesthetic appeal of the space. Arktura applied its expertise in architectural acoustics to address these needs, resulting in a space that is both functional and visually pleasing.
To achieve this, Arktura selected its SoftGrid® Rosette acoustic ceiling system, a biophilic design made from the proprietary Soft Sound® material. The system, shaped like a floral arrangement, was chosen for its ability to complement the existing design of the café. Installed in a Duo-Color finish, pairing clean white with a natural wood-look texture, the acoustic clouds provided much-needed sound absorption while enhancing the visual appeal of the café.
Arktura supported the project from start to finish, creating layout plans and 3D visualizations to ensure that the space had optimal coverage and acoustic performance. The installation process was seamless, and the results were immediate. Baristas and café staff reported a noticeable improvement in communication with customers, which significantly improved the overall atmosphere for both employees and patrons.
“Before Arktura installed the modules, our baristas couldn’t hear customers across the counter from them, but now it’s the perfect place to connect with friends and see how capable and able our staff truly is,” – Page Sacks, Development Director – Mychal’s Learning Place.
This transformation improved working conditions for the staff, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, while also enhancing the dining experience for customers. The result is a space that is not only acoustically optimized but also more inviting and enjoyable.
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Ed Lynch, Executive Director and Founder of Mychal’s Learning Place, emphasized the importance of the organization’s mission—to support youth and young adults with developmental disabilities by providing a safe, inclusive environment for building independence and achieving personal goals. Mychal’s offers programs for youths aged 13-22 to develop social and independent living skills, as well as job training and employment opportunities for young adults aged 18-30.
Visit Mychal’s Café:
2302 Artesia Blvd.
Redondo Beach, CA 90278
Learn more about Mychal’s Café at www.mychals.org/mychals-cafe/ and find out more about Mychal’s Learning Place, including ways to donate or volunteer, at www.mychals.org.
