Building Design + Construction - October 2019

BDCuniversity.com |BUILDING DESIGN+CONSTRUCTION | 15

‘The solution for dark anchors should not

be to simply plug the hole with traditional

solutions, but to look toward out-of-the-

box concepts.’

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EPISODE 33

TAKING THE ARCHITECTURAL

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The ARE test is long and hard, and the majority of

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EPISODE 32

PROJECTS IN ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL

ARE SILLY

The projects that architects-in-training work on while in

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plenty of opportunities for

consumer engagement

and provide a new draw for

legacy tenants within the

development. The refreshed

exterior will help increase

street traffi c while creating

an aesthetically pleasing

façade to the much needed

back-of-house functions

within the warehouse

and click-and-collect

environments. The small-

format footprint could entice

new offerings, from start-

ups to online-fi rst retailers,

providing developers and

guests an elevated and

differentiated experience.

This multi-faceted concept

could support various

industries beyond just

traditional retail, such as

breweries, beer distributers,

or a consumer-facing beer

garden or tasting room.

With the rise of farm-to-table

dining, it could be home

to a grow house, farmers

market, or signature-

chef restaurant. Or even

provide a footprint for cloud

kitchens, a food truck

park, or designated pick-

up for food delivery apps.

The options are endless

when the concept supports

consumers, ecommerce,

and supply chain.

Moreover, many of today’s

anchor spaces are large,

unarticulated boxes that

do not address today’s

consumer needs and

wants. The architecture is

often forgettable and many

of the exteriors haven’t

been renovated since the

original tenant opened its

doors. This strategy may

have been appropriate

when most shopping

centers were inward-facing,

enclosed malls, but today’s

shoppers and consumers

are looking for differentiated

environments that not

only speak to their unique

communities, but also

support their online habits

to offer a more seamless,

convenient experience.

While shopping centers

have been turning inside

out, replacing long

stretches of back-of-

house exterior walls with

engaging outward-facing

tenant façades, the

market has now created

an opportunity for anchor

stores to participate in

this retail transformation.

This revolution starts

with converting these

unarticulated boxes into

vibrant offerings that are

approachable and engaging.

— ERIC ARTER, AIA, LEED AP, NELSON WORLDWIDE