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Our task is to create a public, people space in our retail centers that can be a focal point for the village community and a gathering, casual meeting place for our customers. We believe the following qualities need to be incorporated into each space in order to achieve our objectives.
Creating a Place: The basic structure of this 'community room' should include:
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Orientation
Location and site planning of all elements that encourages
gathering
Our plaza, fountains, trees and planters etc. should have an
organized rhythm and concept
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Click to Enlarge
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Ceiling – To Create Human Scale
Shade elements (wood, canvas), trellis, umbrellas, tents etc.
Canopy trees and palms
Awnings off building
Pavilions, interior arcades, interior rooms open to exterior
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Walls / Edges
Visual buffer from parking lot and driveways
Pots/planters
Built-in seating/planter elements
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Click to Enlarge
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Detailing / Pedestrian level character
Creating intimacy
Medallions
Decorative tile
Banners
Decorative lights
Fountains
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Merchandising
Good mix of food and beverage (quick food, coffee, ice cream)
Attractive presentation
Easily accessible
Conducive to casual atmosphere and gathering
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Click to Enlarge
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Click to Enlarge
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Integration of design for the economic success of retail tenants
Reasonable visibility of storefront
Signage opportunities
Tenant identification
Access to stores
Pedestrian path of travel along storefronts
Aligned trees, trellis columns, etc. w/columns at storefront
Compatible tenants uses/co tenancy
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Creating Comfort: Space should be friendly, cozy and relaxing; inviting our customers to stay longer either day or night.
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Shade elements
To protect from the sun
To enjoy the sun
Heat elements
Radiant heating from ground
Overhead heating – trellis-mounted gas heaters, or enclosed patio’s
Umbrella-mounted radiant heat
Wind protection
Planters
Glass screens
Walls
Seating
Soft seating
Banquettes
Wood furniture
Lounging furniture, etc.
Lighting
Lighting spaces, tables and arcades to create more relaxed and intimate spaces
Access
Circulation that is not intrusive to the casual user of the space
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Creating Memory: Giving the space a memorable character to motivate the customer and members of the community to recall and revisit the center with frequency and great expectations. This recall should be stimulating to all senses.
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Lighting that creates shadow, texture, drama, etc.
Fountain sound, lighting visual
Music, place for performing
Synergy of merchandising with the idea of gathering (casual food, coffee, ice cream)
Pots and pot planting compatible with theme
Planting color and texture to enhance theme and add color
Ceremonial entry
Intimacy of various areas within the public space
A sense of privacy and belonging
View of planting, people, buildings, fountain, etc., not of parking
A set of decorations that give the place uniqueness or history
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