Project Challenges and Outcomes

Challenges 

The Owner challenged the project team to design and construct a benchmark, pro-type facility that integrated and translated its brand values into a premium customer experience for convenience and fueling stores.  Not just a fueling and convenience store, it was to serve as a touch point for relaxing and dining beyond the typical C-Store experience.  Another challenge was the site design.  Given the building is essentially viewed in the round and therefore has no back door, all sides of the building required careful design attention.  The site not only had to accommodate passenger vehicles, but serve as a natural gas fueling depot for a major trucking distribution center located adjacent to the site.  Therefore, the site design had to manage the competing needs of pedestrians, passenger vehicles and semi-trucks, all in a safe clear traffic management solution. 

Outcomes

Through an integrated delivery process, the team worked with the owner to develop a design that reflected its brand attributes.  The design incorporates numerous features to accomplish the goals.

Nature, Sustainability, and Cleaner Options.
The use of materials that reflect environmental sensitivity and the “Natural” cleaner brand values.  The use of faux/simulated/laminated wood exterior cladding, wall coverings and flooring along with a warm color palate achieve this goal.  These materials are contrasted by the use of bold forms and aluminum panels to promote a modern aesthetic for today’s customer.  The design integrates sustainable features to align with the brand’s goal of promoting a clean and responsible building environment.  These include, abundant windows for natural lighting, BAS to control building systems to reduce energy consumption, heat reflecting roofing, cut off site lighting to minimize light pollution, LED lighting systems, Low flow restroom fixtures, Low VOC coatings and others.  The design met the need to incorporate
both standard and natural gas fueling systems.

Navigation and the Customer Experience.
The store design provides for clarity in external and internal circulation and environmental graphics that result in the customer’s ability to quickly navigate the site and building in order to enhance the customer experience.  The incorporation of the latest technology to enhance the customer experience includes in building wi-fi, and HDTV’s and menu boards, along with power ports at all dining locations for device charging.

Site and Building Design.  
The site design promotes safe and effective traffic management strategies for semi-trucks, passenger vehicles and pedestrians.  This is further enhanced by the building and fueling canopy design that is iconic, integrated and designed so that the building is attractive from a 360-degree view. 

The American Natural facility in Harmar Township sets a new standard in C-Store and Fueling Station design and will serve as the company’s prototype design for future facilities.