Design Group
Borders Books
Project Info
- Owner Borders Books
- Architect Woodward Design Group
- Size 23,000 SF
- Budget $4,000,000
- Completion October 2008
The Design Group faced a unique challenge with the Borders Book project of creating a new retail space within an existing historic shell. Originally three antebellum houses conjoined into one mansion-like funeral home; the renovation preserved this exterior, retrofitted an entry, while concurrently converting it into a bookstore.
Varying floor heights, an existing structure and multiple roof lines did not support the tenant’s means of functionality. The new structure was to be built to fit within and connect to the existing exterior walls. The addition of a new rear entry juxtaposes the contemporary design of the backdrop of the existing exterior facade.
A reminiscent George Washington's Mount Vernon is found in the front elevation while the new rear entrance is noteworthy in appearance with the repetition of the eminent columns that flank St. Charles and Louisiana Avenues. Navigating the multiple challenges through design and construction within the existing building footprint defined this project. The result is a functional retail space that maintains the historic integrity of the exterior building shell.
