DESIGN PROJECT:

A Bespoke Footwear boutique is opening in ___________________________, in an area known as Spring Valley Village, one of Washington DC’s upscale residential neighborhoods. The neighborhood has been home to diplomats and a handful of prominent politicians over the years and houses most of the main campus of American University.

BRIEF:

Design an interior space in which to sell a product, that appeals to a discerning clientele, with a high level of customer service. At the rear, design provisions for staff that incorporates the following:

• Main retail area (Merchandise display, commerce, media, seating) – 414 Sq. Ft.
• Staff area (two seats, table, small kitchen area) – 86 Sq. Ft.
• Staff restroom
• Small office (Desk, two seats, filing cabinet
• Small systems room (HVAC, HWH)

The submitted drawings show a set of on-site freehand drawings of the plan, sections, and front elevation of a small retail boutique unit found in upscale town centers. The front of the shop is simple, consisting of plain glazed aluminum, and marine-quality plywood. Inside, the floors are solid concrete with a screed finish, plastered brickwork walls, and a smooth plaster ceiling. The existing mouldings had no architectural merit and welcomed replacement. Further, the interior plasterboard on 2 x 6 timber board was also optional to remove/replace.

ZONING:

• Main Retail Area
• Staff Area

SPACE PLANNING:

• Entrance and reception
• Merchandise display Area
• Staff facilities
• Media center
• Services/storage
• Managers office
• Restroom (ADA compliant)

CONCEPT:

An elegant and modern space to display high-end men’s bespoke footwear, through the use of unique architecture and illumination.

PROGRAMING (General):

• Retail re-design
• Single product
• Relate product to the client
• Minimal storage needed
• Counter area
• Specify suitable surface materials, furnishings, and illumination
• Main Retail Area – 424 Sq. Ft.
• Staff Area 254 Sq. Ft.

PROGRAMING (Product):

• Create a suitable background that supports the chosen product – Specialized/Custom Bespoke Men’s Footwear
• Individuality
• Long-term relationships
• Investment quality
• Foot Health
• Prestige

ANALYSIS:

• The structure is sound and on one level
• Full-length fenestration offers good visibility from the street
• Egress (one way in-one way out)
• Adequate ceiling height
• Outdated HVAC
• Plumbing is in good condition
• Existing restroom facilities can accommodate ADA
• Storm windows or energy-efficient glazing needed
• Space feels hard and rigid
• DPM required for any surface flooring over existing concrete
• Board approval needed to alter the front structure
• Specialized contractors needed for the interior construction phase

VISION:

• A luxurious visual experience
• Fluid, organic shapes vs hard lines and sharp corners
• Unique illumination
• Open ceiling in the main retail area
• Hidden storage in both areas

DEMOLITION:

• Remove all existing mouldings, one partition wall in the existing storage room, and one wall in the existing restroom.
• Remove existing HVAC

CONSTRUCTION:

• Construct a new partition wall to divide the main retail area from the staff area, via a sliding jib door
• Add two additional partition walls in the staff/manager area
• Create a new office, HVAC room, and ADA-compliant restroom
• Open plaster ceiling to the rafters

SURFACES:

• Construct walls with curved gypsum wallboard panels and wire for lighting in the main retail area
• Construct walls with standard gypsum for the staff area and restroom
• Install hard-surface flooring (Walnut hardwood) over DPM next to concrete in the main retail area
• Install stone field tile and wall covering in the staff area and restroom

FITTINGS:

Quarter-inch flexible gypsum wallboard: Certainteed.com; FRP Interior Ceiling Louvers: Inside Out Builders Supply; Walnut Flooring: Hallmark Floors; Aura beige stone field tile/Staff area: Artistic Tile; Custom elliptical reception/transaction counter: WB Stone; Surface-mounted downlights: Delta Light; Entry door hardware: Phillip Watts Design; Demolition/Construction: AJ Kochis Company, LLC

FURNISHINGS:

Serge Upholstered Bench: Demurodas; Walnut and leather lounge chairs, counter chair, office seating: Sandler Seating; Bench upholstery fabric: Rubelli; Manager’s office suite: Haworth; Café Tables/Staff area: Crate & Barrel; Acrylic Drinks Tables: Burke Decor; Media monitors: Samsung; Signage: Signs by Tomorrow

Photographic Renderings © Rhonald Angelo Interiors Rendering Team