Before	After





Additional Images

Project Description

Our client was looking for a high profile office location centrally to the St Petersburg business district that would accommodate their growing business. They had been looking for a location for some time without success. As luck would have it, a local salon in a great location had recently caught fire and was completely destroyed.

Our client made an offer on the torched structure and the salon owners accepted. With the property in their hands, our client was faced with the task of rebuilding the structure and wanted to take this opportunity to make their new location a dynamic showpiece for the business.

Enter the Design Team: The site was perfect for great visibility and had lots of heavy vehicle traffic passing by each day. With a busy corner lot location, we had the opportunity to redesign two elevations that were directly in the public eye. In addition, the low pitched rooflines were barely visible from the road. We wanted to increase the pitch and change the material of the roof covering for greater curbside appeal.

During design meetings with our owner, we identified the following items and modifications they were interested in incorporating into the new scope of work for the project:

Project Objectives:

Convert the simple style of the building architecture to a Mediterranean look.
Provide for an easy conversion of outdoor storage into additional office space.
Maintain as best as possible the original footprint of the structure.
Introduce clean lines and utilize simple Mediterranean style elements throughout the construction.
Create a luscious landscape oasis, presenting a serene feel for their clients.
Provide for functional access to the structure that allows visitors to experience the beauty of the landscape experience.
Keep form and function simple, but unique and elegant.
Complete the construction process in time for the client to be open for business during their busy season.
Introduce Green technology systems to improve building health and reduce environmental impact.

Project Challenges:

Maintain the concrete block perimeter of the structure.
The roof system was completely destroyed and was required to be completely removed.
The fire caused cracking in most of the windows, requiring their replacement.
Heavy vehicle traffic around the area provided for challenges for worker parking, material deliveries and site coordination.
Zoning and ADA compliance issues had changed since the original occupancy usage requiring updated wheelchair access, parking logistics and signage.

Project Solutions:

We designed a roof structure and arched bump-out around the side elevation center window to provide additional detail on an otherwise boring facade.
We designed a 5/12 roof system to add height to the ridges providing better visibility from the road.
The front portico was completely reworked to allow for a ten foot bearing in the adjacent conference room. This allowed for a raised roofline that significantly impacted the front elevation.
Green Technology solutions are provided in the descriptions under the pictures throughout the portfolio.
A privacy wall was added to the side elevation further separating the structure from side alley traffic.
A roof system was incorporated into the main roof to cover the outdoor storage area. This area can easily be converted into additional office space without affecting the new roof.
All new hurricane impact windows were installed in reinforced masonry openings for storm protection as well as added security measures. These units also reduced road sound inside the office. Additional security measures were take by ordering side access doors with steel plates.
With a compressed construction cycle, “Critical Path Scheduling” was necessary to align and coordinate all trades on the project.
Lumber drops and site access were carefully coordinated, occasionally utilizing a crane service.
The newly constructed project contains concrete tile roof, soft arches, columns and banded windows and doors that complete the Mediterranean transformation and brings the serene feel of Tuscany, Italy to St. Petersburg.

Project Summary:
One of the primary objectives of the design was to transform the existing architecture to a Mediterranean look, while increasing visibility and enhancing the curb appeal of the entire structure. A desire for clean lines, using simple Mediterranean style elements and providing for functional access to the building was emphasized.

In addition, we have pictorially represented this project with “before” photos adjacent to all of the “remodeled” photos on all of the major views of this spectacular building transformation. Enjoy!