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This one square block redevelopment site occupies
the site of the old Thomasville Furniture store.
This is a transitional mix ed-use area comprised of 19th c. houses
and 20th c. industrial facilities which have been demolished and/or
converted to higher grade retail and apartment condominiums.
The project involves creation of a mixed-use office and retail
center comprised of two buildings facing an interior vehicular and
pedestrian court. LAPIERRE STUDIO's
challenge was to provide a second opinion and final designs for the
pedestrian area components. Without
benefit of altering the project’s architectural massing, a plan was
developed that abandoned a previously proposed elaborate paving scheme
and simplistic raised plaza planters in favor of unified brick paving
reflective of the simple yet consistent nature of Old Town.
This change freed up project dollars for the addition of a garden
style fountain and pergola seating plaza which connects to lower retail
shops and cafe terrace via a grand pedestrian staircase.
The resulting design pays homage to its
Old
Town
location, foils otherwise imposing and somewhat stark building facades,
and celebrates the pedestrian experience of sitting, eating and reading
the paper within a modest yet elegant urban
oasis.
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