DDi - October 2009 - (Page 36)

36 Right Light Green-light gas Energy-friendly lighting creates a stylish, sustainable c-store in Knightsville, S.C. By Vilma Barr, New York Editor onvenience-store operators often belong to a conservative clan when it comes to the design of their location’s gas island and the adjacent retail store structure. But that’s not the case for developer Mark Jordan. He collaborated with architect Christopher M. Karpus for his Kangaroo Express on Central Avenue in Knightsville, S.C., to produce a stylish interpretation of regional architecture, combined with sustainable building | October 2009 Photos: Christopher M. Karpus, Karpus Design LLC materials and distinctive lighting. “[Jordan] had the imagination and foresight to try something new, to offer an environment that is both safe for patrons and an identiﬁable landmark,” says Karpus, of Karpus Design LLC, Summerville, S.C. “This Kangaroo Express was an experiment for both of us to test the process, ﬁnances and customer reaction to the architecture and interior design.” Kangaroo Express is the primary operating banner of Sanford, N.C.-based The Pantry Inc., a major independently operated c-store chain in the southeastern United States. As with any c-store, the prime objectives for the Knightsville Kangaroo included attracting repeat patrons, increasing sales and presenting a safe environment—“especially for moms,” Karpus notes. But the comparison with run-of-the-road convenience facilities stops there, as the Knightsville store has carved out its own public identity. From its LED-lit gas island canopy outside, to its sculptural illuminated overhead grid inside, the store communicates its function and its appealing personality 24/7. Inside the store, the 3,700-sq.-ft. open ﬂoorplan allows patrons quick access to pre-packaged merchandise, as well as the prepared food section. The project’s sustainable highlights include the use of ﬂy ash in the concrete derived from coal-ﬁred power plants; Solatubes that beam daylighting into the store interior; energy-efﬁcient LED lighting in the coolers; low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints and adhesives; recycled glass in the countertops; and cabinets fabricated of pressed wheat. A ceiling-hung, kidney-shaped grid with integrated illumination serves as the interior’s focal point. Manufactured of recycled metal by USG, the grid is painted a warm earth tone and mounted with track lighting ﬁtted with 50-watt MR16 lamps. For this Kangaroo Express store, the grid measures 7 ft. 10 in. at its widest point, with mechanical ductwork suspended above. A pendant-hung “upgraded warehouse” ﬁxture with a glass shade contains two 42-watt triple ﬂuorescent lamps. “Solatubes installed throughout the building bring daylight into merchandise display and service areas during the day,” Karpus points out. “At night, integrated 26watt ﬂuorescent lamps are switched on to provide the store’s ambient light.” Karpus repeated the grid pattern in the polished acid-stained concrete ﬂoor. The store’s interior walls are painted a mossy

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of DDi - October 2009

DDi - October 2009
Table of Contents
From the Editor
Newsworthy
Consumer Insights
Quick Tips
Greentailing
Editor’s Choice
Design Snapshot
Green Super Section
Eco Shoppe
Hannaford Bros.
Channel Focus: Hospitality
Green Depot
Right Light
How to Pass the LEED AP Exam
Green Products
In-Store Technology
Product Spotlight: Color & Materials
Calendar
Advertisers
Classifieds
Think Tank

DDi - October 2009