Arepa Zone | Washington, D.C.
Many years later, the spot sat vacant. Down the plaza, a Giant Food Store in dire need of renovations made moves to take over the space. Along with gutting the building, the massive increase in footprint allowed the client to showcase their latest and greatest in design standards, setting this up as a model for future store upgrades in the region.
Defined by clean lines and open ceilings, this Giant exudes a city market atmosphere, with distinct zones and sub-vendors, and casts aside the homogeneity of a big box store. Targeted lighting subtly increases the vibrancy of the produce and goods on display without being overbearingly bright. The generous size of these spaces contributes an airy feeling, welcoming to large numbers of shoppers from the rapidly expanding adjacent communities. "... a bold new facade to allow the store to stand out with design versus signage." |
Out of the many projects we've completed, this one was particularly close to home for 2-POV and our Vice President, Kevin Link. As a longtime area resident, Kevin’s ties to Springfield Plaza run back into his youth in the late 70’s where a group from West Virginia would bring Victor, an Alaskan brown bear, to carnivals held in the shopping center and challenge participants to a wrestling match.
Throughout the design and construction process, Kevin would regale all teams involved with memories pertaining to the site- previously a K-Mart. His favorite tale involved the bear wrestling event, in which participants would win a cash prize if they somehow succeeded in pinning down the muzzled bear. If the bear emerged victorious, he'd be rewarded with RC Colas and Moon Pies. Needless to say, the bear maintained a diet that most of us could only dream about. |
Aware of the visibility constraints which had kept the former tenant partially concealed, the team lobbied for a bold new façade to allow the store to stand out with design versus signage. Warm, wood tones against cool grey cementitious panels help to reproportion the lengthy building and set a striking background for the store logo, now visible from the major thoroughfare across from the center, and the surrounding neighborhoods it serves.
Upon posting this project on social media, we were met both with overwhelmingly positive feedback from members of the local community, and surprising accounts which corroborated Kevin’s story. The many messages, where folks fondly recounted memories such as carnivals and other community events held in the very same area we were tasked with revitalizing, have left our whole team humbled and honored to share part of this community’s identity and positively contribute to its growth.
|
|