At a prominent intersection that links the campus of UCLA with Westwood Village, arrives a new convenience store that brings a design highly sensitive to its immediate surrounding as wells a global sensibility to green architecture.  The project’s approach to sustainability is manifest by a minimal footprint, sustainable materials, solar energy and drought tolerant landscaping.  In terms of architecture, it fulfills a sense of place through a design that respects Modernist precedents set by Richard Neutra’s Strathmore Apartments and Mies Van Der Rohe’s Barcelona Pavilion and Farnsworth House.  The project’s 45 foot super thin tower serves as a gateway to the Village’s upper west side.

Due to restrictive parking requirements, the project’s optimal building area is considerably small.  At only 2,500 square feet, the Village Store maximizes its marketing potential while maintaining the least obtrusive “footprint” within the built landscape- i.e. using recycled materials (the site was originally a Shell gas station).  On-site parking consists of permeable-based materials that allow complete water filtration to help satisfy State mandatory water conservation guidelines.  The roof top structure is made up entirely of photo-voltaic panels of clear tempered glass that float lightly above the building while providing shade along the west side elevation.  The building’s sleek profile with high-performance glazing disguises the interior’s gracious height and openness.  Poured-in-place concrete walls along the east elevation provide the necessary thermal mass to balance the glass pavilion-like aesthetic.  The building envelope sits on a recessed base that visually lifts the building off the ground that provides generous seating opportunities for the public.

Size:  2,500 sf.