Architect Challenge, Location Release - April 5, 2008
Mar 28th, 2008 by rlsorbe
The teams are ready and it’s time for the locations to be released for the Architect Challenge at Design Project Build. We have asked six of Boulder’s top architects to explore the creative redesign possibilities of 2905 Pearl Street, 800 Pearl Street, and 1309 Spruce Street in a three hour live Challenge at Rembrandt Yard! With experience from Barrett Studio Architects, Harvey M. Hine Archtects, Rodwin Architecture, Vast Architecture, M.Gerwing Architect, and Communication Arts; we are looking forward to the innovative and creative designs these architects will incorporate into these three buildings.
In addition to building owner’s and the architect’s intuition, we’re asking for the public’s input to incorporate into the challenges. So put your thinking cap on and ask yourself… What would I like to see in Whole Foods, 1309 Spruce Street or Lolita’s? Your feedback will be presented to our participating architects on April 5th and you might be surprised to see your ideas incorporated into their designs.
Whole Foods: 2905 Pearl Street
The Cross Roads Common Shopping Center is being reconfigured and developed in the near future. The Train Depot will move to the Transit Village, the existing movie theater will be removed, and Barnes & Noble will be relocating to an entirely new structure. Whole Foods, 2905 Pearl Street, will expand their market into the previous Barnes & Noble, and the vacant building located west of Whole Foods will be removed and transformed into an extended parking lot for its patrons. This new store will become one of the largest Whole Foods in the country (87,349 sq. feet), and possibly the next Flagship store! Creative, fun and functional design layouts are in store for this market.
Lolita’s: 800 Pearl Street
800 Pearl Street is a 130-year-old former mill, a market since the 1940’s, and home to the infamous 24hr stop - Lolita’s, since 1985. After filing for a Demolition Application with the city in 2007, this historic market is still standing. Neighbors and concerned citizens are worried that much of the charm that makes West Pearl so unique is dying with the mixed-use developments moving in. While those in favor of demolition continue to argue that the building has very little architectural and historical significance to offer, others feel strongly that it’s worth conserving. No public word has been released as to the future of this property. With your thoughts, interpretations, and interactions with Lolita’s Market; what would you like to see?
Rembrandt Yard Expansion: 1309 Spruce Street 
1309 Spruce Street reveals a creative past. This building has been home to many artists, designers, and architects including Carl Worthington of Oz Architecture, David Barrett of Barrett Studios, Richard A. Foy of Communication Arts, and Tom Thorpe of DTJ Design. It has also been an office to Blue Mountain Arts, New Hope Natural Media and Wolstenholme Partners. Under Carl Worthington’s design, the building was remodeled in both 1967 and again in 1973. The second remodel of ‘73 denotes the above photos, when 1309 was given a face lift and a second floor was added. Rembrandt Yard acquired the building five years ago, and began interior remodeling to transform the space into an apartment. However, the construction was left incomplete and today this building stands alone as a vacant storage space. Rembrandt Yard is interested in manipulating the space into more than just a storage unit.
With only a week to go, the architects are prepared to launch themselves into an exhilarating experience where all creative right is fair game. Come support Boulder’s creative spirit and cast your vote in the competition. The competition begins at 5:30 pm - see you there!
Design Project Build
When: Saturday, April 5, 2008. 2 pm - 5 pm (promotion of the Bike Rack Design Competition with our co-sponsor Community Cycles); 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm (Architect Challenge); 9 pm - 12 am (DJ after party with Communikey’s very own DJ and crew!) Design lounge with displays provided by local designers and architects, as well as participating non profits and raffle to raise money for the bike rack fabrication on the second floor.
Where: Rembrandt Yard, 1309 Spruce Street
Contact: Rebecca Lewis, rl@boulderspace.org, 720.771.0528
Cost: $5 Suggested donation to support more design focused events and participating non profits
Whole Foods: With such a large rooftop, i’d like to see a community garden and eating area with view of the flatirons. Inside, I would like to see a public kitchen area where they offer culinary classes. I would also to see better bike racks along the outside.
I would like to see a living machine/green house on the rooftop of Whole Foods: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_machines
I would like to see the building design of 1309 Spruce Street exemplify some of the creative spirit of it’s past. Maybe hear what Carl Worthington, Richard Foy, Thomas Thorpe, or David Barret would want to see in this space. With design backgrounds, and after spending time in this space, it seems they would know it’s environmental features pretty well.
For Whole Foods: covered, lighted and secure bike storage for employees and shoppers. This could be integrated with a complimentary repair stand and some simple tools, air, bike wash, and perhaps even tied into products, information and services for cyclists (sponsorship by and advertising for locally owned bike shops, services, products, etc). The existing bike racks are convenient and monitored by video, but they could be improved to promote bike usage and serve as a model for little investment relative to accommodating more vehicle usage and parking. Yes, I propose providing preferential treatment to cyclists and others that chose to not drive for their meals. I commute and shop via bike 52-weeks a year (only ice or large loads keeps me from using two wheels). Hey, the more you ride (or run, walk, hike, etc), the more you get to eat, which is what most any stores selling food should be interested in promoting.
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