Green Depot Flagship

Category Retail
Year 2009
Location New York, NY
Size 3,500 sf

A leading provider of green and sustainable products for the construction industry, Green Depot selected Mapos to design their first consumer retail experience in a dilapidated Landmarked building in the up-and-coming Bowery district.

Working closely with the New York Landmarks Preservation Commission, the first step was to uncover, repair, and celebrate as much of the original finishes of the original 1885 YMCA building as possible. New finishes, fixtures, and displays were then strategically layered on top of the old to highlight the buildings history. Custom designed floor and wall fixtures were made out of sustainable and re-used construction materials, while custom light fixtures illuminated the store at loads 50% below ASHRAE standards—a new benchmark for retail. This collection of old and new materials created a colorful story of re-use and adaptation, while the interactive fixture engages the customer to become a coauthor of their in-store experience.

Sustainable initiatives throughout the project resulted in a LEED Platinum Certification for the project, the first of its kind in New York State and only the second in the country.

The space is a hybrid retail store and interactive educational center designed to empower the customer to make informed choices on sustainable building and lifestyle products.

The client's top priority was to build a store that was both a three-dimensional brand statement and a learning center that would educate their customers on what it “means to be green."