This project required a significant amount of time to finalize the design. During my initial meeting with the client, their vision was to create two separate rooms with full-height walls, along with a waiting area for the rooms, while maintaining the front portion of the store as the sales area.
Work on this project began in the first week of May. I was informed that we could access the store by July 1st, with a 45-day build-out timeline. To begin the design process, I reached out to the mall's tenant coordinator to obtain the store’s blueprints and start developing design options.
Revision 1st
In my first design revision, I proposed demolishing the rear wall of the store to create two separate rooms and a waiting area. My goal with this approach was to provide the VIP room with enhanced privacy, ensuring a more exclusive and comfortable experience.
Revision 2nd
During our second design meeting, the client expressed a desire to bring the right wall forward to extend the rear portion of the store. Additionally, they requested that the VIP rooms not be attached, which was a change from the initial plan.
Based on the second revision, I contacted the City of Arcadia. They confirmed that since we were adding a full-height wall and, given that the store has an open ceiling in the rear portion, we would need to include Fire Marshal and Mechanical Engineering drawings when submitting our construction plans for the necessary permit.
Revision 3rd
"Based on the city's guidelines for Mechanical, Electrical, and Fire Marshal permits, we conducted the final design meeting with the client. During the meeting, the client confirmed that the existing walls would remain unchanged and proposed adding 8-foot partition walls that do not connect to the ceiling. Consequently, we applied for a Tenant Improvement permit, which requires plan drawings approved by a licensed architect.
Approved Design
Exterior Signage
While waiting for the permits to be issued, I contacted a sign company to apply for the necessary permits and install the sign in accordance with the mall's regulations.
As of September 2024, the Building Department of Arcadia has issued the permits, and the store is currently under construction. Attached is a video of the store in progress, with the final result to be shared once completed.