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Retail Honorable Mention
Presented to Michael Hsu Office of Architecture

Westlake Dermatology Retail "Eden"
Austin, Texas

Project Description

The new retail store ‘Eden’ located within Westlake Dermatology’s 19,000 SF facility was designed to be a modern gem within the Moroccan inspired building context. The design takes cues from Moroccan details with the pointed arched windows translating into the exaggerated carved ceilings and the Arabesque hand-shaped tiles and custom cut steel panels and doors. The interior evokes warmth and modernism with the blackened steel and rift sawn white oak millwork, Sable stone tile floor, brushed bronze detail and Calcutta gold countertop at the Point of Sale. Custom jewelry cases incorporate bronze detailing with the blackened steel and a warm suede backdrop and integral jewelry lighting. Murano glass chandeliers provide an ambient glow at the three focal points while flush recessed retail lighting highlights product.

The primary design challenge for Eden was in the display design. The merchandise varies from jewelry to skin care products to clothing which requires highly adjustable shelving. The ten foot tall steel panels each were fashioned with drill patterns in them where a screwed pin could be set into the steel panel and the oak shelves could slide on and be positioned as required. Lighting also proved to be a large design challenge– controlling the color temperature for proper merchandise display with fourteen foot tall windows drove us to our unique lighting solution throughout. Between the light boxes at the wall displays and the recessed adjustable lighting at the ceiling and the ambient light at the chandeliers we were able to highlight the product at varying levels. The display case lighting is designed to be easily accessed– upper light panels are intended to be used for merchandise signage while the lower boxes illuminate product. These acrylic panels are easily removed and exchanged by being attached with magnets.

This project addresses the Health and Safety requirements for Energy Innovation and Increased Productivity Innovation by incorporating integrated, dimmable and energy-efficient fluorescent light boxes at the wall displays and maximizing the daylight at the exterior windows. The exterior windows are located due North which enables maximum daylight without the extreme heat gain of the Texas sun. The dimmable light boxes highlight the product on display and provide ambient light to the interior. The carved peaks at the ceiling soak in the exterior daylight and glow throughout the day. Whether it is early morning or late evening, Eden maintains a soft glow for the customers and employees at all hours of the day.

Judges Comments:

• Like the custom interior doors that reinforce the façade.
• Beautiful flooring, arch cut ceilings.
• Creates a strong brand.