formaldehyde adhesives, and natural paints are other great ways to go green. The most innovation Fiedler has been seeing in the design
of c-stores is the implementation of energy and water con- servation elements into the design of the stores. “These ele- ments include solar tubes to illuminate the sales areas and backroom spaces during daylight hours, motion sensors to control the lighting in the backroom, restrooms and offices, LED lighting for walk-in cooler doors, higher efficiency HVAC units, low water usage water closets and lavatories and highly reflective roofing material,” Fiedler said. In fact, green elements are here to stay. The new
California 2011 building code has incorporated many of the performance standards that are found in the USGBC LEED certification program. The new building code sets targets for water conservation, water consumption, dual plumbing systems for potable and recyclable water, energy efficiency, and diversion of construction waste from landfills. “Green” elements aside, experts agree that the retail envi-
ronment will continue to move more toward highly experi- ential spaces with more focused destination departments. “Consumers’ expectations have been greatly enhanced over the last decade or two and convenience stores will have to do a lot to catch-up,” Bona said.
TRENDS IN STAND- ALONE RETAIL STORE
DESIGN The architectural nuances of stand-alone retail stores are fairly consistent—box-shaped enterprises that con- sumers have come to recognize. However, Michael Smyth of Kistler Buildings is seeing a shift to pre-engi- neered post frame construction (pole barn style). The reason? “These types of structures are a third to half the construction costs of traditional construction style,” Smyth said. “The cost savings allows customers to put more of their budget into the interiors of their building like parabolic lighting and ceramic tile flooring.” For a recent structure being build, Kistler Buildings had a small amount of square footage (1200 square feet) to stay within. “We decided to cantilever the cool- ers out of the side of the building sitting on an enclosed insulated slab where only the front doors were in the store. This freed up a tremendous amount of space inside the 1200-square-foot store.”
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