American Factory Direct Gonzales: A Collaboration of Creativity and Expertise
KDB is thrilled to showcase their latest completed showroom for American Factory Direct in Gonzales. This marks the sixth showroom collaboration between the two entities. Join us as we accompany Blackjack and Jewel on an exclusive tour of this brand-new showroom. Blackjack, having successfully facilitated three projects with Kent Design Build on behalf of the owners, has been a pivotal liaison in this endeavor.
The project encountered a few design challenges on the exterior, particularly when it came to the availability of certain stone materials, which were no longer in production. In response, our team worked diligently to identify the closest possible match and employed creative techniques to craft the stone cap, ensuring a seamless aesthetic.
One of the most significant aspects of this project involved relocating the front sign. Collaborating closely with engineers, we devised an innovative solution – a freestanding billboard-type foundation. The robustness of this foundation is remarkable, with tubes extending 16 feet into the ground, entirely detached from the building. It's designed to withstand winds of up to 150 miles per hour. This strategic placement ensures that the sign is prominently visible to travelers on I-10, a feature that greatly pleased the owners. While initially, Butler had proposed attaching the sign to the building, our engineers went the extra mile to meet the owners' expectations for maximum visibility and frontage.
Inside the American Factory Direct Gonzales, the owners aimed to replicate the design and spatial characteristics of their Lafayette location. They wanted to offer the same square footage and capacity to showcase their extensive furniture collection. Thanks to the efficiency of the Butler solution, AFD was able to open its doors to customers in just six months from the start of construction.
The interior of the building boasts a soaring atrium that floods the space with natural light through the large windows, creating a unique backdrop for the furniture displays. Over 130 carefully selected light fixtures add character to each wall and furniture set, enhancing the overall ambiance. The central aisle features a specialized three-part epoxy material designed to withstand both pedestrian traffic and the occasional use of lifting machinery. This innovative centerpiece, serving as a delineated walkway, is set to become a signature feature in all future AFD stores.
