A new 30,000 square foot natural foods grocery store was designed for the Honest Weight Food Co-op - an important Albany resource. The integrated design process was the backbone of a design-build contract in which ENVISION worked intimately and rigorously within the A/E - Owner- Contractor team to address the Co-op’s mission, and vision, working within the parameters of their budget and timeline.
The design features a flexible layout and a unique shopping experience for the consumer, including a prepared foods section and indoor/ outdoor cafe spaces. The Community Room, outdoor seating areas and seasonal sales areas foster interaction between the Co-op and the community. A secondary entrance and pedestrian walkway, coupled with proximity to mass transit and the West End neighborhood nurture the pedestrian-friendly nature of the store. The Co-op, in effect, is woven into the fabric of its new location.
Careful attention has been paid to the support spaces for retail and food service, including refrigeration, delivery and food service equipment. Circulation and access are critical components of the success of facilities like the Co-op and a prime goal throughout the design phases has been to balance their importance with the creation of a successful energetic environment for customers and staff.
