Restaurant outlot building

economic box with a large front portico

This freestanding 4,200 square foot multi-tenant retail building in Tucson, AZ was designed to explore the tension between the simple and audacious use of CMU (concrete masonry unit) to create architectural drama. To create this tension, the building was conceived of as a simple box with a large front portico. This portico was the concentration of the architectural project ambition where the CMU is supported on the end of a beam to create a sheltered and inviting portico for the shops. The portico is further enhanced by the four slender columns and wood soffit. This creates a semi-public layer of urban space between the storefront and the parking lot. In the end, the project has a raw honesty and functional aesthetic while carving out a unique identity in the retail landscape.

Location | Tucson, AZ
Size | 4,200 SF
Type | Restaurant, Retail