Established in 1884, Ganahl Lumber boasts a rich legacy as one of Southern California’s most esteemed businesses, renowned for its top-notch hardware, lumber, and building materials.
Project Name: The Power and Possibility of Adaptive Reuse
Studio Name: Solatube International
Client: Ganahl Lumber, Pasadena, California
Architect:
Onyx Architects, Pasadena, California
Dale W Brown, AIA, Principal in Charge
Douglas D Joyce III, AIA/FARA, Design Principal
Mary Wu, AIA, Project Manager
In 2010, the company seized the chance to reconnect with its origins in Pasadena, Calif., upon the availability of a 4-acre General Motors dealership on the renowned Colorado Boulevard.
CHALLENGE: Navigating the Maze of Adaptive Reuse
Upon acquiring the parcel, the excitement and promise of adaptive reuse were tempered by the complexities it presented. Situated along the iconic Route 66, the task of transforming the former automotive establishment into a lumberyard was compounded by the need to meet specific requirements while adhering to city and historical preservation standards.
Navigating through a maze of codes and regulations, the architecture team at Onyx faced the daunting challenge of reshaping the expansive interior. Their goal extended beyond mere functionality; they sought to create a space that not only exuded comfort and aesthetic allure but also embodied a human-centric design philosophy. Departing from the conventional utilitarian atmosphere of typical retail settings, their objective was to curate an environment that promised a ‘high-end’ experience, captivating customers and encouraging prolonged engagement.
SOLUTION: Illuminating the Space with Solatube
To realize this vision, meticulous attention was dedicated to daylighting design. Natural light in buildings has been shown to enhance occupant comfort, directly impacting consumer behavior and, consequently, sales figures. A pivotal study by the Heschong Mahone Group (HMG) titled “Daylight and Retail Sales” revealed that retail spaces illuminated with daylight saw a remarkable increase in sales, surpassing 40% compared to similar spaces devoid of natural light.
This boost can be attributed to the psychological and physiological benefits of daylight, which accurately renders merchandise colors with even intensity, making them more appealing to customers. Armed with this knowledge, the architects at Onyx opted to incorporate 60 Solatube SolaMaster 330 DS-O Tubular Daylighting Devices (TDD) into the expansive retail space.
Unlike traditional skylights, these TDDs harness daylight on the roof and distribute it evenly via reflective tubes made of Spectralight® Infinity, the world’s most reflective material. This ensures consistent illumination without causing glare. Perfectly suited for high-bay applications like Ganahl Lumber, Solatube TDDs efficiently capture sunlight even on cloudy days.
In this application, the TDDs’ simple cylindrical shape seamlessly integrated with other elements such as HVAC, electric lighting, fire-sprinklers, and signage, creating a cohesive and harmonious design in the open ceiling. Strategically positioned with the diffuser lens close to the roof deck, the emitted daylight remains unobstructed.
By reducing reliance on electric lighting during daylight hours, the facility not only promotes sustainability but also highlights specific merchandise, drawing customer attention and elevating the overall shopping experience.
