The conversion of an automobile dealership into a new 107,910 SF retail and wholesale facility for Ganahl Lumber. The original infrastructure had been constructed in Eastern Pasadena on Colorado Boulevard. Updating and expansion took place from 1970-2005, as the dealer’s franchising and sales needs changed. As a result, the facility was an amalgamation of assorted buildings and styles. The challenge would be to take these disparate elements and make them into a cohesive store, returning the Ganahl Lumber name back to Pasadena after nearly 100 years.

Project Objectives:

First, the design team needed to establish a new and cohesive identity – providing efficiency and functionality as a building material supply store – and look and attitude that featured a contemporary yet accessible customer environment. This was accomplished by evaluating the existing building stock, and determining how it could be adapted to the new store program.

Next, the team sought to determine how to meld the Ganahl identity (welcoming stores, efficient movement of goods, history in the business), along with the Pasadena Community identity (architectural history, history of the location, case-study modern design) into a common design language. This translated into a 'kit of parts' set of design solutions that solved specific problems, while unifying the existing resources.

Another objective was to reinforce the Pasadena Colorado Boulevard design goals, providing a clear and unobstructed view into the store, and to create an obvious pedestrian pathway from the street, avoiding the ‘closed box in the middle of asphalt’ look that most 'big boxes' use.

It was also important to limit construction and project entitlement time; the project was shaped around managing design review and other entitlement processes to a minimum, allowing Ganahl to move in and begin business 2 years after the property was acquired.

Sustainability and energy conservation were also key design goals, achieved by reusing much of the existing buildings, and by utilizing daylighting control strategies, substantially cutting electrical use during the day.

The Project Tells a Story About Ganahl and About the Community:

This site is located over the Eaton wash. The previous owners had constructed a structural cover over the wash to store and display automobiles. With the new development, the story of the wash was retold by incorporating retention area and landscape features with the appearance of the original wash.

Architect re-branded Ganahl through materials, signage, colors, and universal design language. The new customer-friendly design standards are integrated in all current remodels and new stores.

The material stock, panel products, tools, and other sundries are organized not just for efficiency and convenience to the customer, but also as its own design element complementing the basic themes of the store.

Project Outcome:

The project has proved to be welcoming for all customers. It's considered a well-known community resource for building supplies appropriate to Pasadena homes and buildings. This Ganahl store has far exceeded the financial expectations for the company, and has served as a prototype for future remodels and new stores in the Southern California chain.