Goodwill Store & Donation Center

The challenge of this project was to transform an outdated ribbed-face concrete block warehouse into an inviting and highly-visible retail environment. The building is located on a side street off of a main retail corridor, so to attract shoppers from this busy area, the design included a 40’ tall entry tower with signage on three sides.

To prevent glare and solar heat gain, vertical masonry piers with horizontal steel louvers were added along the western facade to act as sunshades. Sustainable features extend even into Goodwill’s redesigned parking area, where a bioswale breaks up the lot and provides green space and an area for natural ground water infiltration. While this building did not pursue a LEED© rating, LEED© principles informed many of the architects’ design decisions.

Program: Substantial Remodel/Conversion of Warehouse into Retail

Size: 28,000 sf Retail & 24,000 sf Warehouse

Location: Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

Completion: 2009