what if design could enhance our communities?

T h e f o l l o w i n g i s a p r e s e n t a t i o n o f m y s e n i o r t h e s i s p r o j e c t . I t c o m m u n i c a t e s m y t e c h n i c a l , c o n c e p t u a l a n d r e s e a r c h s k i l l s . M o r e o f m y d i v e r s e p r o j e c t e x p e r i e n c e c a n b e s e e n a t m y w e b s i t e :

aw-shucks.this project is the recent winner of honorable mention in the 2010 Retail Design Institute’s International Student Design Competition.

w w w . l a n g a n d e s i g n s . c o m

thewell

a prototype for change

You have been selected to be part of a national environmental recovery team. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to infiltrate your community, buying local products and making connections, in an effort to gather relevant information and make better decisions.

Use this card for special access to facilities which will aid in your mission.

Please log in to www.thewell.com to find your closest starting coordinates.

This message will biodegrade in 2 months.theGREEN

card

mission possible.

(customer loyalty card)

the problem: the questions: the goals:1 2 3

SAY, what’s the big idea? go on, say it.

Why are there so many abandoned gas stations?

What will become of gas stations when fueling is not a major part of the industry?

Why is gas station design so unthoughtful to its users?

What could a gas station be?

Suggest a purpose for gas station locations after fueling becomes a secondary or non-existent part of their industry.

Provide a prototype for present and future fueling stations that meet the following criteria:

thoughtful to user needs

adaptable to changing fueling alternatives

sensitive to the nostalgic nature of “filling stations” & roadside architecture that has been lost.

Provide a state-of-the-art fueling station.

what if I could reinvent the gas station?

u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h e p r o b l e m

The definition of CONVENIENCE is changing. It is growing a CONSCIENCE. Quantity is no longer being defined as quality. Consumers are more savvy than ever about what they put in their bodies, their cars and their COMMUNITY. Sustainability as status is being debunked while more and more patrons are demanding LOCAL products delivered in a sustainable way as the standard rather than the exception. They are careful about their automobile efficiency, fueling and food CHOICES because it is a reflection of who they are in community. They crave a modern corner store, where clerks are FAMILIAR again, food is FRESH and local and the stop doesn’t require heroic parking efforts and endless check-out lines. Shopping and eating fresh, supporting local community efforts and becoming part of a CONSCIOUS CULTURE is the where the fueling industry must navigate in order to remain relevant. In that spirit, the well attempts to revive abandoned gas station sites while meeting the demand of these very discerning consumers.

convenience with conscience

I got well in Cincinnati!

well well well, not your average gas station.

what if gas stations could be more green?

d e f i n i n g t h e m a r k e t

the well is:

- a convenience store & fueling station

- a lifestyle brand

- the first retail outlet for local farmers

- a testing ground for alternative fuels

- a community resource

- convenience with conscience

thewell

what if sustainability could be fun?

c r e a t i n g t h e b r a n d

the well IS A CULTURE OF PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING.

yeah, there’s alternative fuels.yeah, there’s wheat grass & organic milk... and reclaimed building materials and solar powered gas pumps and local produce and community connection, healthy food and fancy coffee...

At the well, all shades of green are welcome. So whether you pull up in your SmartCar or your Hummer, you can expect healthy, tasty foods, clean & convenient amenities and do it all while

keeping your footprint to a minimum and your fingerprint to a maximum!

we hear ya dude.

minimum footprintmaximum fingerprintwellness

local . honest . natural . innovative . fresh . happy .

a fun relationship with earth!

taki

ng th

e st

atus

out

of s

usta

inab

ility

quote suggestions can be made online and will be incorporated in to the cups.

“a morning

without

coffee

thewell

I got well in Cincinnati.

Ivory comes from dead elephants, its best not to buy it.

- Cincinnati, oh

thewell

thousands of earth facts are printed on reusable bags and randomly distributed throughout the country, creating a one of a kind, incentive for purchase and self branding.

a thumbs up graphics system playfully rates patrons’ choices on personal health or environmental impact.

we love farmers.

small carselectriccharging

green is a decision, not an aesthetic.

A web culture attached to the brand shares well experiences and cool well locations to see. You can view real time building load demands, (water, electricity, etc.), submit quotes for inclusion on well cups and bags, and share community information.

find the next

well.

theGREEN

card

customer loyalty card

a new, approachable tone delivers healthy product and environmental awareness with a culture!

6' S.SW

ORK

TOP-

REFRIGERATO

R

2'-0" X4'-0"

STAINLESSSTEEL WORK

TABLE

2'-0" X4'-0"

STAINLESSSTEEL WORK

TABLE

2'-0" X4'-0"

STAINLESSSTEEL WORK

TABLE

DBL STACKOVEN

main buildinghotel

electriccharging

carpool parking

farmer's market entrance

trial fuelcanopy & pumps

outdoorseating/bikeparking

permeable pavement

site plan

fuels offeredgasolinebiodieselethanol

electrichydrogendme

solar power

dog fountain architectural fabricexterior

rubber sidewalks

perm

eaab

le

pave

men

t

more green than not

the well is about community. As a brand it is known for acquiring abandoned gas station sites and cleaning them up! To get consistant brand messaging, existing gas station shells are clad in a fabric panel system. These panels can have graphics printed directly on them, which become regional. The interior of the store is then renovated as needed.

Axis and connection to exterior is maintained on the interior with a tension fabric canopy.

Covered walkway centered to entry doors allows pedestrians a safe place to traverse. Recycling containers and benches offer patrons a fresh approach.

a site for sore eyes

what if gas station sites could refuel more than your car?

t h e s i t e

carwash smarwash.

local

localer

localest

pod hotels

cafe

seating

coolers

quick grab

no package snack station

e-check-in

fresh market

greenwall

welcome greenypants!

Roll up door and entry for delivery and weekend farmer’s markets.

Green wall integrating plants for sale, herbs for picking, and graphics of local farmers draws patrons through the store.

Free wi-fi, charging station, windowsill herb garden for picking.

site conditions can dictate number of restrooms.

well heads, where patrons can refill their water bottles.

Quick grab area

B

Modern and cheerfully colored prefabricated shipping container hotel pods redefine the add-on business model for fueling stations and drive progressive ideas about space and reuse. site conditions can dictate the number of pods. when needed, the pods can be moved to another location.

reus

e

what if I proposed another purpose for gas stations?

t h e p l a n

A

The further in you go, the more locally you are shopping.

SPATIAL DIAGRAM

A driving force behind the design, this system allowed the gas station to become three store types in one. A) Quick Grab B) Lunch and small grocery C) Fresh Marketse

lf br

and

A)B) C)

what if gas stations weren’t cluttered and cramped?

s e c t i o n / e l e v a t i o n s

we farmers.hollmeyer's Orchard

mary & karen

be picky about what you eat.

herbs

pie . coffee . muffins . cake . bread . cookies . soup . dip . seeds . pasta

good no matter how you cut it.

pumpkin

MattYoungest herb farmer in Ohio

ChristineLima, OH

our pods will have you climbing the walls in no time.

wpod get your ladders out.

mint dill basil parsleycilantro oregano thymer osemary

mossmossmoss wheatgrass

reindeermoss fern cat

grass rye

mossmossmoss wheatgrass

reindeermoss fern cat

grass rye

mint dill basil parsleycilantro oregano thymer osemary

SECTION A: NTS

SECTION B: NTS

Greenwall integrating plants for sale, herbs for picking, and graphics of local farmers. The wall draws patrons through the store.

INTERIOR ELEVATION

DESIGN PARTI

The ripples become the fueling pumps on the exterior and feature fixtures on the interior. They act as mile markers and create a visual, and conceptual, connection between decisions made and their effects on community.

reflectioncause and effectconnectionpersonal awarenesspart to whole relationshipplayrip

ple

effe

ct

what if I revived roadside architecture?

e x t e r i o r

what if gas stations were environmentally responsible?

e x t e r i o r e n t r y

welcome locavore!

the “ripples” become featured product displaya dry snack station allows patrons to use less packaging as well as self brand through their own “percentage” of certain items like nuts, raisins or dried fruit. (much like having a signature “coffee”)

what if healthy food was available at gas stations?

i n t e r i o r e n t r y

go nuts!

patrons can refill their water bottle, eat lunch, get online or grab local dinner groceries.

patrons can pick herbs to add to their lunch, or bring home as their own “local garden.”

what if gas stations were a healthy lunch destination?

i n t e r i o r

be picky!

what if farmers designed a store?

f i x t u r e / d i s p l a y d e s i g n

modular crates -flexible displays are created in multiple areas of the store with one fixture.

-whiteboard finish acts as price display and adds to community feel.

mad

e ya

’ look

.fun with fixtures.

feature fixture - local businesses get featured products

- acts as visual marker for shoppers to know how “locally” they shop

what if I wanted to become part of the “buy local” community?

w a l l s e c t i o n a n d g r e e n w a l l f i x t u r e e x p l o d e d a x o n

greenwall fixture - take part of the well community home with you and support growing local product.

Overflow resevoir

soil pocketsFrame receiver & brand message

EXTENSION TUBE

LIGHTTRACKERREFLECTOR

FLASHING SCREW

ROOF SEALANT

FLASHING

1/2" PLYWOODSHEATHING

SHEATHING

CONCRETE BLOCK

FINISHED FLOOR

SUBFLOOR

ARCHITECTURAL FABRIC PANEL

ALUMINUM FRAMESYSTEM FOR PANELS

METAL CAP

COPING WEDGE

RUBBER ROOFING MEMBRANE

"CHALKBOARD"GRAPHIC PANEL

PLANT POD

PRODUCE BINS

CONCRETE SLAB

BRAND MESSAGE

GRATE/DRAIN

HEAVY DUTYWHITE PVC SLATWALL

ENDORSEMENTGRAPHIC PANEL

LIGHTWEIGHT ROOF DECKROOT BARRIER

DRAINAGE LAYERGEOTEXTILE

GROWING MEDIUM

summer sun

winter sun

fresh mint for your coffee?

WALL SECTION

bringing sustainability to the masses.

our pods will have you climbing the walls in no time.

wpod get your ladders out.

ChristineLima, OH

Fresh mint for your coffee?

what if a brand could talk to me?

g r a p h i c s t r a t e g y

mary & karen

hollmeyer's Orchard

indianapolis, INbe picky about what you eat.

herbs

Mattyoungest herb farmer in Ohio

pie . coffee . muffins . cake . bread . cookies . soup . dip . seeds . pasta

good no matter how you cut it.

pumpkin

hops & harvestft. wayne, IN

kevin

LindseyHamilton, OH

the tone, a local graphic strategy.

“A fine beer may be

judged with only one

sip, but it's better to be

thoroughly sure.”

cold

beer in here

sophisticated, fresh palette

warm bamboo

lightacrylic

clean epoxy flooring

sparkling tile

what if gas stations were clean?

m a t e r i a l s

the

finish

ing

touc

h.

what if a gas station became a daily destination?

t h e m o d e l

This model took more than 100 hours to complete. I designed and crafted the entire model.

In order to create the fixtures, I sourced acrylic and MDF. I used a Rapid Prototyping lab to lasercut each individual piece and then assembled them afterward.

In order to complete this model to this level of detail and craft, it required complex planning, scheduling and experimentation.

reflectioncause and effectconnectionpersonal awarenesspart to whole relationshipplay

parti

taking from the earthripple effect

ads

suck it up. pum

p.

the greengo. the foodie. the treehugger.

cafe.i’m a foodie.

do

wn

to e

arth

.

wellthe

RRcafe

cellar

POSsoda/snack

grocerie

beer

inven

tory

bike parking

i wa

s h

ere

.

every act creates a ripple with no logical end.

we are all on a spectrum,

light

SELF-B

RA

ND

what shade of green are you?

THE RIPPLE EFFECT

Final design came from the idea of the ripple effect. It evokes a connection between human and environment and place and community.

restroomsa morning without coffee is like sleep.

product

GROCERYQUICK

The “ripples” become fixtures and featured products.

a well.canopyideas

design processwhat if I could reinvent the gas station?

t h e p r o c e s s