The new grocery store opened by Dominick’s is notable for its design that is both city-friendly and ‘green’. The store is part of a host of energy-saving outlets that Safeway Inc., Dominic’s parent company, is rolling out across the US.
Safeway expects to save about 20% in energy costs at the new Dominick’s. The new store design by US-based MulvannyG2 Architecture has helped in upgrading the cityscape, besides strengthening the urban character of its Lincoln Square neighbourhood. The new store has replaced a 1975-built outlet at the site.
The old shop was in a typical classic supermarket format. The brick-faced box featured a small band of windows and a fake mansard roof. The usual surface parking lot was placed at the north side of the site creating empty space in Lincoln Avenue’s street-defining wall of buildings.
The new model, designed by MulvannyG2 Architecture, in association with local firm Archideas, is conceived as an improved big box. The site of the store has been designed to reflect urban atmosphere. The parking space is reserved on a deck atop the store that can be reached by customers through driving up a ramp. The freeing up of space on ground has helped the store to spread out. The new store is almost twice as big as its predecessor.
The massive appearance of the store has been offset by the architects by creating a facade that alternates sections of load-bearing precast concrete and brick veneer. Two vestibules clad in glass offer a strong vertical counterpoint to the store’s dominant horizontality. They also protect the rooftop mechanical equipment and the parked vehicles from the view of passersby. One entrance soars more than 30ft high, offering a liberality of space.
The vestibules, designed as the store’s most attractive interior feature, offer natural light and views outward as well as a sense of transparency. The shop has aisles with standard width.
Besides LED lights, some other eco-friendly features include non-toxic flooring and a decentralised refrigeration system that uses 40% less copper tubing than a standard one. The architects have designed the new Dominick’s store to achieve LEED-Silver rating.
