car wash blog

Modern Car Wash Remodel Photos

Posted by Derek Leavitt on Fri, Apr 16, 2010

We recently had some photos taken of the Fashion Square Car Wash by photographer Sergio Garza - www.SergioGarza.net.

Sergio shot these for his portfolio, so we didn't interfere and advise him of what we wanted. He had free range to express his artistic point of view. We are pleased with the results. They capture the essence of the place, a busy car wash that is only closed (except for rainy days) one day a year. We also like that he took some pictures of just the landscaping.

modern graphic designPhoto by Sergio Garza

los angeles modern car wash

Photo by Sergio Garza

modern car wash remodel

Photo by Sergio Garza

car wash los angeles

Photo by Sergio Garza

car wash architect

Photo by Sergio Garza

car wash tunnel watch

Photo by Sergio Garza

car wash tunnel

Photo by Sergio Garza

car wash viewing

Photo by Sergio Garza

car wash rennovation

Photo by Sergio Garza

modern landscaping car wash

Photo by Sergio Garza

modern car wash waiting area

Photo by Sergio Garza

car wash canopy

Photo by Sergio Garza

modern landscaping

Photo by Sergio Garza

modern car wash

Photo by Sergio Garza

drought tolerant landscaping

Photo by Sergio Garza

oil change building remodel

Photo by Sergio Garza

oil change remodel

Photo by Sergio Garza

oil change building remodel

Photo by Sergio Garza - www.SergioGarza.net

 

The Fashion Square Car Wash, located in Sherman Oaks, CA (Los Angeles) was remodeled extensively in 2009 by the following team:

Architect - Modative
General Contractor - Pacific Empre Builders
Landscape Architect - Miriam Rainville
Structural Engineer - Ajay Ray

Topics: Car Wash, Car Wash Remodel, Modernism, Los Angeles, los angeles architects, Modern Design, Landscape Architect, Architecture portfolio, Mid-Century Modern, modern remodel

Car Wash Architecture Update

Posted by Derek Leavitt on Tue, Sep 08, 2009

Update September 2009

While we continue to go back in time and add posts of the entire Fashion Square Car Wash architecture and construction process, I thought we'd show a few recent pictures to hold you over until we send in the professional photographers.

If you would like to be notified when we add updates to this project blog, please subscribe by entering your email on the right.

car wash architectsThe new waiting area

 

 

remodel car washAnd, just to remind you, the old waiting area and main building

 

 

architecture canopyA close up of the new canopy

 

canopy detail

Canopy detail

 

car wash graphics

We also designed all the new signs

 

outdated car wash sign

The old sign

 

drought tolerant landscaping

New drought tolerant landscaping along the street

 

car wash modern signThe sign and landscaping at the corner

 

clean sign

The simple and "clean" graphics

 

car wash los angeles The welcome car wash ordering area

 

car wash needs remodelBefore picture of the welcome area

 

car wash LA

The vacuum area beyond is about to be rebuilt with a new structure and graphics (Sept. 2009)

 

la car wash architecture

Path to the lobby

 

car wash interior design

The card area

 

store graphics

We brought a similar graphics theme to the store interiors

 

Stay tuned as posts will be added in the coming months to show you more of the architecture and construction process.

 

Topics: Car Wash, Car Wash Remodel, Modernism, Los Angeles, Modern Design, Mid-Century Modern

07 Car Wash Architecture Concept Renderings

Posted by Derek Leavitt on Thu, Jul 19, 2007

car wash progress

Some renderings of the (screen) concept to match the previosly developed study model. We've found that moving back and forth between physical and digital modeling works well for us. Digital modeling is fast while the physical modeling allows us to see the entirety of the design at once and forces us to determine a level of buildability in the architecture.

Commercial Architecture

View from the street

modern architecture

The car wash ordering area

store architect

The waiting area

Topics: Car Wash, Car Wash Remodel, Modernism

06 Retail Store Interiors - Take 1

Posted by Derek Leavitt on Fri, Jun 01, 2007

architect process

The ever critical car wash store is much more than just a place to pay for your car wash. If the architecture and interiors are done correctly, it can turn the chore of getting a car wash into a pleasant shopping experience.

This first round of design for the car wash store interiors was intended to reflect the concepts used on the exterior (see previous post): the screen, simple signs, and improved flow.

retail architect

The cabinetry is composed of stacked pieces of wood of various widths that provide different shelving depths, dramatic shadow lines, and visually relate to the screens used on the exterior. Storage areas just below the display areas are intended to ease the merchandise stocking.

los angeles store architect

Simple, one word signs such as "write" (cards) and "give" (gifts) were intended to provide a customer with the essence of what was available in that portion of the store.

store interiors los angeles

A birds-eye view of the store layout.

floor plan

The floor plan of the store before the proposed remodel.

retail floor plan

Several layouts were explored and flow diagrams created to see how to improve the customers experience of moving through the store.store floor plans

These initial interior layouts included a take-out style cafe.

architect flow diagram

Although the client was very happy with these concepts for the store, the final constructed design of the store is fairly different, matching the reduced scope of the overall car wash project.

Topics: Car Wash, Car Wash Remodel, Modernism, Retail