The old Greyhound bus station in downtown San Angelo is officially on its way to becoming Kinney Franke Architects' new home. It is exciting for us to be able to work in a space that was once a starting point--and ending point--for journeys. We'd like to think of the process of architecture as a sort of journey as well. In the photo below, you can see where travelers have left proof of their travels on a limestone window ledge.
Construction has begun and the building has now been framed.
Working out the design has been great fun for our office. Some of our "Fun Fridays" have been spent drinking beer and trying to sketch how the space should work. Here are some of our goals:
- Create an efficient and open layout, exposing the "bones" of the old space (specifically, the open web metal trusses).
- Cost effectiveness (of course!)
- To create a dynamic anchor for the office (Conference Room) that is energizing, unique, and that encourages dialogue.
- Allow room for growth.
- A sensible divide between our office and the retail space we have created at the front of the building. This retail space will hopefully be rented out by a chef with a vision in the near future.
- Signage and parking that is easy for the public to locate and access.
- And... a functioning kitchenette of course.
Another benefit of moving our office to this location is that we will be across the street from the lovely and historic Wendland building which has been transformed into an artist's studio. We caught a few of San Angelo's trademark sheep, waiting to be painted and peeping at us on our way out.
We'll keep posting updates on the progress of our new office. It's a great opportunity for us to create something good for our office and, hopefully, for downtown San Angelo.
-Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 1:25PM
