Olo Yogurt Studio / Baker Architecture + Design

Aug 2011

Uploaded by Oscar Lopez — Filed under: Hotels and Restaurants ,Interiors ,Selected , Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

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Architect: Baker Architecture + Design
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Project Year: 2010
Contractor: Sims General Building
Electrical Engineer: Stone Electrical Design
Mechanical Engineer: Walker Consulting Engineers
Photography: Richard Nunez

Baker Architecture + Design were tasked with developing the brand identity, including logo design and demographic targeting, in addition to full architectural services for a new startup in Albuquerque called Olo Yogurt Studio. Despite the small scale and limited budget, they recognized that many people will interact with this space and opportunities for architectural experimentation were as available here as anywhere.

The self-serve yogurt concept calls for a particular circulation pattern in which customers cycle through the space from the dispensers, to the toppings, to the cashier.

To draw customers in from the street,the design team developed the “yo-bow” idea which is a series of colored stripes that undulate overhead, turn downward, and terminate at the yogurt selection at the back of the narrow space; leading customers to the starting point of the assembly line. The primary materials are paint and drywall, leading to the budget being met.

The site is a narrow storefront on the ground floor of a new building in one of Albuquerque’s most pedestrian neighborhoods. Most customers are casual passersby and residents of the nearby neighborhoods.

: © Richard Nunez

: © Richard Nunez

: © Richard Nunez

: © Richard Nunez

: © Richard Nunez

: © Richard Nunez

: © Richard Nunez

: © Richard Nunez

: © Richard Nunez

: © Richard Nunez

: © Richard Nunez

: © Richard Nunez

: Plan

: Interior Elevation

: Diagram 01

: Diagram 02

: Diagram 03

* Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.

Cite:
Lopez , Oscar . "Olo Yogurt Studio / Baker Architecture + Design" 20 Aug 2011. ArchDaily. Accessed 23 Feb 2012. <http://www.archdaily.com/158082>

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Mihir B says:

It is always refreshing when an architect understands and initiates graphic design as a constructive, functioning element of the user’s experience and atmosphere of the space!

# August 20, 2011 at 16:15

Chavo says:

I’m not sure this is AD worthy. It is a cool interior, but nothing special. Not very innovative. What is next? Cookie-cutter houses?
Having been there, I know there is better architecture to showcase in Albuquerque.

# August 20, 2011 at 17:49

Oscar Lopez says:

Looking at what we can learn from what the project does well, we can take away that the experience created is a complete gestalt. This project is obviously not in a great site but, it does the most with what it has. Wouldn’t it be nice if all strip-mall design be designed like this project. This is something that is lacking in architecture, there is constantly a disconnect between the building, the interior, and the experience. There is an innovative concept behind this project, and sadly, it is that the experience had with the project should be a complete experience. What this smaller scaled project does well is what most projects lack. When thinking about quality and innovation let us not forget first about experience.

# August 20, 2011 at 19:48

Innovative architecture is not necessarily good architecture.

# August 20, 2011 at 18:46

E55 says:

Remember this isn’t NYC or Washington or San Francisco. It is New Mexico which means 1) lots of land, 2) low cost barriers to entry, and 3) a populace that even in this “pedestrian neighborhood” still wants to use their car. (In fact, I bet people drive their cars from other parrs of Albuquerque to have yogurt here and feel sophisticated!)

I am not noting this condescendingly, but rather to explain the dynamic. I understand this vernacular as I also live in a part of the US where densities are low and new suburban unanchored strip retail center dominate the shopping experience.

This also means certain economic realities and frankly given those realities, I like the concept.

On the other hand, I don’t care for the color selection. To me yogurt means fresh and healthy and I don’t think the colors used on the signature design element (the stripe on the ceiling) impart that – black stripe in particular…

All in all, well done, though.

# August 21, 2011 at 10:43

susan says: