Engineering Group
Borders Books
Project Info
- Owner Borders Books
- Architect Woodward Design Group
- Size 23,000 SF
- Budget $4,000,000
- Completion October 2008
This unique project involved the conversion of the Bultman Funeral Home on St. Charles Ave. into a Borders Books, combining historic preservation of the building’s exterior while building a steel-frame structure within the the buildings original facade. This created a unique challenge for Woodward Design Group, Woodward Engineering Group, Woodward Steel Group and the Woodward Design+Build construction team to create a modern retail space in the shell of a historic and well known structure.
Varying floor heights, an existing structure and multiple roof lines did not support the tenant’s design criteria. The Engineering Group redesigned the structure 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.
Reminiscent to George Washington’s Mount Vernon 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. In addition, the Engineering Group and owner worked closely with the Historic District to ensure both neighborhood support and the desired historical detail.
The result is a functional retail space that maintains the historic integrity of the exterior building shell. Woodward Design+Build built the exterior shell and installed the escalator. The store has opened to many rave reviews!
