In a culture of new, shiny, and next big thing, re-purposing a space may seem less than glamorous. For Adams Design Associates, it’s an exciting chance to use existing infrastructure and recreate an entirely new space with a brand new purpose. Looking around the buzzing city of Birmingham, it feels like the city is in a period of growth. Yet, it seems like every block, there are deteriorating, abandoned buildings. The architects at Adams Design Associates have a keen interest in restoring spaces like this for new use.
In Cahaba Heights, a southeastern suburb of Birmingham, Adams Design Associates is working to transform an old Rite Aid Pharmacy building into a space conducive for not just one, but two restaurants. Instead of prescriptions, the sleek new drive thru will serve food to hungry restaurant-goers.
If the design is executed fully, the old Rite Aid space will be multi-tenant and brought to life on the front facade with glass paneling, a metal grid sign attachment, and grey columns with attached light fixtures. The purpose of the metal grid for sign attachment is for both aesthetic and sustainability. It not only adds height to the building, but the grid also to allows for signs of different dimensions to be hung and rehung without extensive damage to the front of the building.
Architecturally re-purposing a space for developers means not starting from square one. It can cut costs to use an existing shell of a building, leaving the rest of the project budget for design improvements. In a city full of old buildings, the team of architects at Adams Design Associates sees opportunity at every corner.
Read more about the space in the Vestavia Voice feature.