Fall quarter consisted of creating a retail space in an existing building in Athens, OH. I chose to create a retail space for Vespa Scooters. I started off by looking at some images from Vespa to get inspiration. I found these great ads on line
After looking at the shapes from the ads I started working through different space planning issues, will the showroom be next to the offices? Here are some of the working floor plans
The above working floor plan I worked with having the showroom at the front of the building (the bottom of the floor Plan) and I had all of the offices, storage and other rooms located in the back. I like the location of everything but it still didn't have a flow that worked with the Vespa.
The next working floor plan I came up with still has the showroom located on the Court Street side, ( the right side of the building) I played with having the lounge in the middle with a Vespa track around for test drives. Around the lounge are the offices, tech room and restrooms with storage and mechanical room in the back (left side of the building) near the loading docks.
The next plan I came up with was getting a little closer to being finalized I kept the circular space with a "track" around it, but instead it turned into transition space since I didn't want to deal with with the mechanics that would go with having an indoor track. 
In the very front of the building (right side) are display spaces for Vespas. The very front has three 10' wide garage doors that will be able to open in good weather. Directly behind the front display spaces are LED Panels which will show moving images of travel, such as through the mountains or the desert. I chose to incorporate these becasue after research Vespa on motto kept coming up, " take the scenic route" so that was the main inspiration for my space.
Final Floor plan
Furniture Plan
After the floor plan I started playing with different display spaces and features in the showroom. I wanted to keep everything in similar color palettes and materials, wood, orange, metal and glass.
Sketches
I designed a wall feature that wraps around the entire showroom and into part of the transition spaces. The wall is made out of reclaimed wood and juts at various lengths away from the wall. I originally designed the wall to be display areas for the Vespas.
Throughout the space I have used glass panels of 3Form organic panels around the check out and break room and clear throughout the offices. They are constructed by sliding into metal brackets around the top and bottom
Section facing north
Evolution of showroom
Final Showroom
Evolution of Check out
Final Check out
Evolution of Office
Final Office
Evolution of employee break room
Final Break room
I created a final video of my project, the beginning images of Vespas are courtesy of Alessandro Melillo at
and Steve Williams at
http://vespalx150.blogspot.com
Final video of project
hello!
good work, really.
I'm glad I helped you, after all I'm an architect and it's the kind of work I appreciate! :-)
Just a couple of things: it should be pointed out that among the images from my website you also took a Steve Williams' one, the picture showing a Vespa in front of a steep elbow slope amidst green weed.
Steve blogs on his "Scooter in the Sticks" you may find here:
http://vespalx150.blogspot.com
and there's a typo at the end of the video where you wrote "vespavEgabond" instead of "vespavAgabond", but it's a non-issue, as mrs, Shreve Stockton stopped her blog, till fall at least.
Nice indeed, keep on working, and *get a Vespa*, your life will be much better!
Alessandro Melillo
http://lxv125.blogspot.com
Posted by: Alessandro Melillo | February 05, 2008 at 05:16 PM
hello Tess, Steve Williams is found here:
http://vespalx150.blogspot.com, it's the world-wide known "Scooter in the Sticks".
I posted your project on my weblog, go take a look!
and,oh, i just noticed,i'm a FormZ user too, even though I don't like it too much! I prefer Blender! (www.blender.org)
ciao!
Ale-
Posted by: Alessandro Melillo | February 14, 2008 at 01:02 AM
Ciao sweetie molto freddo effettivamente. Mi rende il desiderio che ancora ho avuto mio P250!
Posted by: Uncle Brucie | February 14, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Fabulous presentation! I really liked the spaces you created along with the natural flow. Outstanding way finding. I wish it could be built as I'd love to see and experience the spaces and materials.
Jim Cox, AIA
(Friend of your proud parents, as they should be)
Posted by: Lisa Hoffman | February 14, 2008 at 07:41 PM
Hello,
I was researching for a project for my 3D Max class for school. I attend the Art Institute of CA-Inland Empire, and I fell upon your project. It is awesome! LOL! I love the organic shapes and feeling of being in the outside while you're inside vibe you created. You have a talent. Good luck to you!
Posted by: Patrice Bodell | April 12, 2010 at 10:05 AM