Reimagining Silver's Five and Dime: Mid-Semester Reviewer Feedback

Reviewer Feedback:

Todd: City of Greensboro's Inspections Department

• interesting design
• soda fountain is a good idea
• make sure public spaces are accessible 
• think more about where to run plumbing and electrical 
• enjoy the idea of saving the old and unique elements of the building

Jerry Leimenstoll: local architect

• connect front facade and interior to the street using an awning
• agree with saving the historical elements and adding modern elements for contrast but be more purposeful about what you save and how you save it
• successful how the ice cream parlor windows stop a few feet from the floor so they are not fully floor to ceiling for a food service space
• not sure if the street window for the ice cream parlor is a good idea or not 
• focus on unfolding the design and working through design decisions so you are finding things that naturally tie into the building rather than things that would need to be forced into the design

Dabney Sanders: Action Greensboro on the Greenway

• likes the idea of extending windows up from the first floor to reflect the same window layout on the second floor
• might need to edit apartment layouts to better fit new windows
• addition of roof terrace is a good incentive to rent that particular apartment

Hugh Sutphin: local architect

• consider adding glass face to Washington St. staircase to add more emphasis
• likes idea of the skylight shining down through the middle of the stairwell
• work with awning ideas to develop external signage
• apply passion for residential spaces to commercial spaces
• consider talking with someone who spends their days working in each of these kinds of spaces to learn how they really work and what is needed.
• develop security for each commercial space

Lauren Postlmayr: IAR Grad student

• add dotted line to show security wall and/or where it recesses into the wall
• turn elevator clockwise to better work the plans and layout
• change clearance behind doors to 3-4"
• need 1' pull and 6" push for door swing 
• add storage under level changes to add more storage to studio spaces
• doors in the basement storages spaces should swing in
• add desk/study space into bedrooms of the lofts
• rotate bathroom and closet space in the loft spaces to better use space

Jody Efird: local architect

• work more with developing areas for wet walls
• pull in Elm St.'s first floor facade to create a front patio
• could consider adding a courtyard cut out that extends down through the entire building 
• look at using alleyway as more private space
• move washer and dryer out into the hallway in the accessible apartment

Matthew Weikert: classmate

• 5' turn radius can over lap with sink as long as there is enough clearance underneath 
• think multi level apartments is a successful idea
• roll up doors in storage spaces to alleviate the need for a door swing 

Kelsey Walker: classmate

• like the idea for the sports shop design
• successful loft lighting
• try placing ice cream parlor signage somewhere other than the copper tile wall

Jo Leimenstoll: instructor

• play with ceiling heights in the ice cream parlor more - consider adding some decorative element to the ceiling
• connect signage in the bike shop and the ice cream parlor more with their spaces
• pharmacy needs more interesting shelving
• turn the ice cream parlor into a night time beacon to draw people in
• consider using less brick in the apartments for more dramatic effect 
• work on improving lighting in the ice cream parlor

Sydney and Ricki Gray: building owners

• thought roof terrace was a successful idea
• think having a sports shop with bike option is a good alternative to just a bike shop
• having level change storage in the apartments as well as private basement storage is a good idea - one can never have enough storage 

Unfortunately I was not able to talk to the other code guys before they left for the day.


Personal Reflection:
I feel that I need to work more on developing the design as a whole over the next few weeks while also focusing, in detail, on improving the lighting, awning design, storage ideas for both private and commercial spaces, and signage.