Louis' Blog
Project #1 Dollar Store
NEF NAWIC Design Competition River Valley Distributers
Founded in 1985 as a frozen food wholesaler, River Valley Distributors is a Bloomsburg, PA, based distribution center. River Valley distributors have come a long way since their 1985. Today they carry top quality brands made by America’s most-trusted manufacturers, and have been extremely prosperous. River Valley has decided to start a new chapter in their book and plan their first ever flagship distribution store. They called for a Small eco-friendly store, carrying a signature look that embraces simplicity and functionality while helping the customer locate their items, and checkout in 10 minutes or less. The final design reflects their motto “Only the Best!” and embeds an efficient and accessible shopping solution.
The location of the flagship store was lead to Burlington Vermont, for the gorgeous old-world town aesthetic and their simple community aura. River valley currently has a distribution center in Burlington, Which means introducing their first store will be a smooth transaction among targeted customers. The design of the building was based on the reclaimed industrial feel that is prevalent in what is left over of the factories and buildings from the post-industrialization era in Burlington. Instead of using new brick, the building will use brick that has been reclaimed from dilapidated factories which are being torn down to make way for new developments. By painting new signs on the brick to resemble the same lettering which were on the old brick factories, new life will be breathed into the old and dilapidated structure that the bricks once covered. Using similar design techniques of these factories, but adding simple and sophisticated elements such as pop-color brick signs, contrasting window shades, and large glass walls all come together to create the signature River Valley look that prides itself on carrying “Only the best”
The entire store design was based off meeting the criteria for the living building challenge which is the highest honor of energy efficiency any building can receive. The building is built on a previously developed site to reduce new damage to landscape; Reclaimed materials and local talent will be also used during the construction process to save money and resources. Abundant landscaping is used to replenish the Carbon dioxide produced during the construction, and since Burlington is a small town, many neighbors walk or use a bike, thus multiple bike racks are placed along the south and west sides of the building. Electric car parking is also available to encourage the use of electric cars. Because of the climate in Burlington, The access to plentiful rainwater is used to its advantage. Recycled rainwater will be used to flush toilets, and filtered to be used in water fountains, and irrigation systems. The project also incorporates Solar panels on the roof of the building and small wind turbines to offset the buildings low power consumption. Led lights will be used in and around the store to provide light while using as little electricity as possible. Large storefront windows are placed to allow as much sunlight as possible, especially since the building faces south; it invites the most amount of sunlight as possible. Advanced air purification systems will also ensure the healthiest environment for customers.
The overall layout of the interior of the store is intended to provide the quickest most effective shopping experience to the customer. Necessities such as body care, bathroom essentials, underwear, and laundry supplies are located near the front of the aisles, and the Party supplies, cosmetics, paper products, and household goods are located in the back. The flow of circulation makes a clear line to the back of the store, which encourages browsing, and purchasing items the customer may recall they need, while also providing access to a shortcut near the front for people who intend to purchase a single item as fast a possible. Large pop-color signs are held above aisles that attract attention and allow customers to read them from almost any location in the store which provides greater accessibility for first time shoppers.
The final design of the flagship River Valley store embodies a small eco-friendly design, hosting a signature new-industrial look that embraces simplicity and functionality while helping the customer get what they need as fast as possible embedding an efficient and accessible shopping solution.
The location of the flagship store was lead to Burlington Vermont, for the gorgeous old-world town aesthetic and their simple community aura. River valley currently has a distribution center in Burlington, Which means introducing their first store will be a smooth transaction among targeted customers. The design of the building was based on the reclaimed industrial feel that is prevalent in what is left over of the factories and buildings from the post-industrialization era in Burlington. Instead of using new brick, the building will use brick that has been reclaimed from dilapidated factories which are being torn down to make way for new developments. By painting new signs on the brick to resemble the same lettering which were on the old brick factories, new life will be breathed into the old and dilapidated structure that the bricks once covered. Using similar design techniques of these factories, but adding simple and sophisticated elements such as pop-color brick signs, contrasting window shades, and large glass walls all come together to create the signature River Valley look that prides itself on carrying “Only the best”
The entire store design was based off meeting the criteria for the living building challenge which is the highest honor of energy efficiency any building can receive. The building is built on a previously developed site to reduce new damage to landscape; Reclaimed materials and local talent will be also used during the construction process to save money and resources. Abundant landscaping is used to replenish the Carbon dioxide produced during the construction, and since Burlington is a small town, many neighbors walk or use a bike, thus multiple bike racks are placed along the south and west sides of the building. Electric car parking is also available to encourage the use of electric cars. Because of the climate in Burlington, The access to plentiful rainwater is used to its advantage. Recycled rainwater will be used to flush toilets, and filtered to be used in water fountains, and irrigation systems. The project also incorporates Solar panels on the roof of the building and small wind turbines to offset the buildings low power consumption. Led lights will be used in and around the store to provide light while using as little electricity as possible. Large storefront windows are placed to allow as much sunlight as possible, especially since the building faces south; it invites the most amount of sunlight as possible. Advanced air purification systems will also ensure the healthiest environment for customers.
The overall layout of the interior of the store is intended to provide the quickest most effective shopping experience to the customer. Necessities such as body care, bathroom essentials, underwear, and laundry supplies are located near the front of the aisles, and the Party supplies, cosmetics, paper products, and household goods are located in the back. The flow of circulation makes a clear line to the back of the store, which encourages browsing, and purchasing items the customer may recall they need, while also providing access to a shortcut near the front for people who intend to purchase a single item as fast a possible. Large pop-color signs are held above aisles that attract attention and allow customers to read them from almost any location in the store which provides greater accessibility for first time shoppers.
The final design of the flagship River Valley store embodies a small eco-friendly design, hosting a signature new-industrial look that embraces simplicity and functionality while helping the customer get what they need as fast as possible embedding an efficient and accessible shopping solution.
Preliminary Designs
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The preliminary designs show the development for the signature River valley store look. It started with a a drawing of a standard grocery store, then slowly evolved into a more interesting and market street/ dollar store look that sets it apart from any other standard store in America. At the end of the concept design sheet, the circled drawing is the one that was chosen to be developed. It featured a diverse facade that provided points of interest and expressed a whole foods, earthy feel while staying connected to the community. An industrial look replaced the whole-foods vibe and gave the entire store a more modern and trendy look.
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Study Models
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The full model was created while the slanted industrial roof was in mind, and the original bridge was designed. The newer, smaller facade model was to show the new square, pure industrial concept that replaced the stereotypical industrial look. The final design used the new industrial model and replaced the bridge with a simpler and cleaner one.
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Final Design
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The final design expresses the newly decided facade and combines industrial with retail to create the signature River valley store design. The site features separated parking for employees, and customers, a covered bridge connecting the customer parking lot to the building, and generous amounts of landscaping that help divide the loading, storage, and trash collection area from the main public space. The project won First place in Chapter and Region.
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Project #2 TIME
The Dallas Museum of Music Music through time
mu·sic /ˈmyo͞ozik/
Vocal or instrumental sounds combined in such a way as to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion.
Currently, there is no museum in Dallas that is dedicated to the sole purpose of exhibiting music through time. Thus, after given freedom to create our own project, I decided to attempt to design a museum of music for Dallas, Texas. Located on the two parking lots at 2404 Ross Ave, Dallas, TX 75201, The Dallas museum of music concept was inspired by a combination of 3 precedent projects, (The Sauerbruch Hutton Brandhorst Museum, Disney Concert Hall, and The Dalian Conference Center) whose designs contain musical influences used to enhance the environment around us. The idea here is a museum with all the history of music, beginning at the earliest recorded evidence of music, and as you progress through the exhibits, the time period shifts from past to present, eventually arriving at the exhibit of today, Immersing yourself completely in what each era would sound like.
The main public exhibit floor would contain 19 acoustically sound exhibit rooms, each catering to the music of each designated era. Bathrooms are located every few exhibits so visiting a restroom wouldn't be a fiasco. And if the immersion becomes too much? Each group of rooms contain buffer zones which allow a small space of silence before becoming immersed again. Plus, the exhibit rooms all have a silent courtyard attached to them to allow a ultra quiet space where the sound of the city is walled away by the 35' tall exterior sound walls which flow throughout the building. There is a Cafe also located on the main floor, (which caters to museum-goers and the public) and a large auditorium for music performances. On the second floor, would be private exhibits for artists or events to rent out 10 additional acoustic exhibit rooms with roof access as well.
Outside, The Building sits on two parking lot blocks nearly 700 feet long combined. The large area to the right of the museum will serve as the museums outdoor musical art exhibits where children can interact with, and create their own music using sound installations that change periodically to create monthly interest and retain visitors. The acoustic exterior walls will flow into the sound garden and will help bring a connection between the garden and the museum.
The main public exhibit floor would contain 19 acoustically sound exhibit rooms, each catering to the music of each designated era. Bathrooms are located every few exhibits so visiting a restroom wouldn't be a fiasco. And if the immersion becomes too much? Each group of rooms contain buffer zones which allow a small space of silence before becoming immersed again. Plus, the exhibit rooms all have a silent courtyard attached to them to allow a ultra quiet space where the sound of the city is walled away by the 35' tall exterior sound walls which flow throughout the building. There is a Cafe also located on the main floor, (which caters to museum-goers and the public) and a large auditorium for music performances. On the second floor, would be private exhibits for artists or events to rent out 10 additional acoustic exhibit rooms with roof access as well.
Outside, The Building sits on two parking lot blocks nearly 700 feet long combined. The large area to the right of the museum will serve as the museums outdoor musical art exhibits where children can interact with, and create their own music using sound installations that change periodically to create monthly interest and retain visitors. The acoustic exterior walls will flow into the sound garden and will help bring a connection between the garden and the museum.
Research and Preliminary Designs
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The research began with studying all types of music and transferring the sound to paper by scribbling shapes and forms. The music types were then grouped by similarity and more complex shapes began to take form. Then, preliminary projects became the major influence in the vision of the project. Followed by the sound of music itself. the Acoustic walls advanced from being unconnected and freestanding, to becoming integral parts of the design and function of the building. Eventually the concept got larger and needed more space, so additional corridors were added to accommodate, resulting in the final result below.
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Result
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The final concept takes the preliminary research and concept designs and puts them together to create a house for the musical forms of sound. In the World Music hall there is a large floating staircase which curves around a violin shape. The violin stairs would only be used by paid visitors to private exhibits. This concept is limited by means of digital modeling, Preferably the Acoustic curved walls would be double curved and angled to provide a more interesting sounding result when sound is played from the courtyard, and to be more visually interesting. Also, the floor plan would incorporate the Acoustic exterior walls into the exhibit space. The model shown is partially unfinished due to strict time schedule.
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