Case Studies
Residential
In early 2024, Daniel Glauser, a key member of the BUILD Show team, embarked on an extensive renovation of his 1970s-era home. Drawing on his expertise in high-performance construction, Daniel transformed his family’s residence into a state-of-the-art dwelling that exemplifies the core principles of sustainable renovation. His passion for energy efficiency and the Passive House standard made this project not just a home update, but a model of modern renovation practices. As both a resource and an ambassador for building science, Daniel’s knowledge significantly contributed to the project’s success, making this renovation a true testament to the potential of high-performance homes.
Daniel and his family had lived there for nearly four years before deciding to renovate, driven by their desire to improve the home’s energy efficiency and overall comfort. Undertaking the renovation while living in the house posed some unique challenges, requiring a well-planned, phased approach.
The goals of the project were ambitious: to create a contemporary, sustainable home using the latest in building science technology, all while maintaining the family’s day-to-day living activities. The project sought not only to improve thermal performance but to blend modern aesthetics with high-performance building systems.
Commercial
The Chicken N’ Pickle (CNP) is a rapidly expanding restaurant and entertainment concept that combines casual dining with pickleball courts and other outdoor activities. With a mission to provide a fun, active, and community-centered experience, CNP has quickly become a favorite destination for families and sports enthusiast alike. The design of their new locations reflects the company’s values of sustainability, community engagement, and innovation.
The exterior design of their facilities plays a crucial role in attracting and engaging customers. We’re going to explore the architectural design elements that make CNP stand out and reflect the brand’s identity and enhancing the overall customer experience.
The exterior of AllModern stores is a direct representation of the brands commitment to modern, minimalist designs. The architecture is characterized by clean lines, geometric shapes, and a neutral color palette. The façade is often composed of a mix of glass, steel, and aluminum, which together create a sleek and sophisticated look. Large glass windows dominate the storefront, allowing natural light to flood the interior while offering a transparent view of the store’s offerings, inviting customers inside.
The design philosophy behind AllModern’s exterior is rooted in the principles of modernism – simplicity, functionality, and lack of ornamentation. The minimalist approach not only aligns with the products sold within the stores but also ensures that the store exterior remains timeless and appealing across different locations and market segments.
AllModern is a brand under the Wayfair umbrella, they specialize in contemporary, minimalist home furnishings that cater to the tastes of modern consumers. As part of its identity, AllModern’s physical stores are designed to reflect the brand’s ethos, combining sleek aesthetics with functional design. We wanted to explore the architectural elements, materials, and design principles that shape the exterior of their stores. Particularly how the chosen elements contribute to the brand’s image and customer experience.
The exterior design of CNP embodies a blend of modern industrial aesthetics with a rustic, welcoming charm. The design is intentional in creating a space that reflects the farm-to-table nature of the restaurant offerings, and fosters community and togetherness. Populous did a phenomenal job emphasizing the community aspect of the build by taking inspiration from American town squares. The center yard area where guests will find the courts, games, live music, and ice skating is the heart of the CNP experience.
The layout of each location is carefully planned to encourage socializing and active participation. Multiple pickleball courts are a central feature, surrounded by open seating, fire pits, and outdoor games like bocce ball and cornhole. This open, inclusive design encourages guests to engage with one another, whether they are there to play sports, dine, or simply enjoy the atmosphere. The restaurant and bar areas are designed with a casual, welcoming vibe, featuring large communal tables and open kitchens.
In 2017, Zips Car Wash, a leading car wash chain in the USA, underwent an extensive and impressive rebrand and expansion. They embarked on a complete redesign and rebrand initiative to enhance its market presence and operational efficiency. A major requirement for the design of the new facilities was that they be easy and quick to build. They needed building products that could be used across the country, comply with a multitude of different regulations, and be easy to install.
Zips Car Wash’s rebranding project involved a comprehensive overhaul of its existing facilities to create a more modern, efficient, and customer-friendly environment. The primary goals were to streamline operations, improve customer experience, and create a visually appealing aesthetic that stands out in the competitive car wash market. Key aspects of the renovation and redesign included modernized infrastructure, updating car wash technology to the latest standards, and ensuring faster and more efficient service. The layout was redesigned to optimize the flow of vehicles through the car wash process, reducing wait times and increasing throughput.
A crucial element of Zips Car Wash’s rebrand was to establish a strong, easily recognizable brand identity. New signage was designed to be highly visible and distinctive, making it easy for customers to identify Zips locations.
Hospitality
Education
Limited access and visibility for the public, students, and researchers
Poor environmental conditions and security for the artwork
High costs and risks of transporting and handling the artwork
Healthcare
Children’s hospitals are unique spaces where healing and comfort are paramount. The use of color in healthcare environments is more than just an aesthetic, it has profound psychological and physiological impacts. Colors can influence mood, behavior, and even physical healing. On the exterior of the hospital, vibrant hues are strategically used to create a cheerful and calming atmosphere. Bright colors like blue, green, and yellow are known to have various effects. Blue can soothe and reduce anxiety, green is associated with tranquility and balance, and yellow is stimulating and uplifting. These colors are not just randomly chosen but are carefully curated and aimed at reducing stress and making the hospital environment less intimidating for children.
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