Learning as much as possible about a particular business is paramount to designing a new building that is purpose built for that business.  How does it function?  What is the product?  How is that product displayed so that a customer can make an informed decision and feel good about what they purchased?  How do you balance the needs of employees and customers in the same building?

It’s a lot to keep track of.  In the case of the Stonewood Products building in Harwich, it took a considerable amount of time to gather up the necessary information and answer many questions related to a business that’s figuring out it’s growth strategy.  For our client, going through the design process helped to define not only the form of the new building, but helped to shape the face of the expanded business.

Circulation and View Diagrams

This sheet of diagrams was used to explain how the simple placement of the check out desk affects the occupant’s use of the building.  Since there are both contractor and public entrances at either end of the building, the placement of the desk will determine how long the circulation path is for a customer to check-out.  Simultaneously, the employees behind that same desk need to be able to see not only who’s inside the building, but also if there are customers outside in the courtyard.  It’s easy to see that a placement somewhere toward the middle makes the most sense from both a circulation standpoint and for views out from the desk.

Stonewood First Floor Plan

Where we ended up was complicated by the addition of a kitchen for employees and a bar seating area for customers but the idea of having a central desk that can see much of the site remained a key goal. The desk is located in the right hand portion of the building with the previously mentioned kitchen and bar area for customers immediately to the left of the check out desk.  This will give contractors easy access to the desk and allow them to check out quickly and easily.  The public customer is more likely to meander through the showroom area to look at all the great flooring, stone, tile, and reclaimed wood that will be displayed on sliding racks in the front portion of the building.  Employee functions are organized along a series of rooms at the bottom of the page  with lots of glass and large openings that help the company keep track of who is in the building, and who might need assistance out in the courtyard.

Check back soon for updates on the progress of this new building, or stop in and say “Hi” on Great Western Road in Harwich and see the new building for yourself.