█ 454 blanding
orange park, fl : [2019]
The building at 454 Blanding Blvd. in Orange Park was originally built as a single tenancy office building in 1981. Characterized by a dominating gabled roof mass with deep inset windows, the original building’s appearance came across as heavy and brooding. The long band of glazing sheltered by deep eaves provided little natural light to the dark, cave-like, interiors. The client came to us with the opportunity of adapting the overlooked building for a suite of salon studios. Their vision was of a building that would be bright, inviting, and modern.
As a condition of the project, we were required to reuse the existing foundation and salvage any primary structure where feasible. Therefore, the footprint and scale of the building would have to remain predominantly unchanged. One of our primary objectives, however, was to raise the overall height of the building to allow for higher interior spaces and to give the building more of a presence from the busy street. This move afforded the opportunity to add an additional strip of horizontal glazing that would allow more natural light into the interior spaces. The massing strategy is simple; featuring a long horizontal bar which is interrupted by a separate volume that projects forward to emphasize the primary point of entry. Simple massing is given articulation through vertical and horizontal windows which punctuate the facade with steady measured rhythm. Subtle shifts in planes establish variation and interest on the otherwise smooth surfaces. In contrast to the old building that one was sited on the property, while was chosen for the building’s exterior. The color highlights the simplicity of the architectural form and allows the building to reflect and refract the light and color of the sky.
‘Architecture is expressing a quality of light. It should also allow you to appreciate nature that’s around you. White is all colors. It’s everywhere’ - Richard Meier
photo credit | Chad Baumer Photography