Dec 1, 2026
LOT-EK lectures at RIT Vignelli Center, Rochester
concept & vision
our design for Warehouse 415 seeks to create a vibrant retail/leisure area centered around the existing warehouse. We propose a skewed cross-like shape, centered on the Warehouse, with one arm dedicated to retail and another to entertainment, surrounded by an agricultural preserve
design & architecture
our typical unit is a two-layer container stack with rotated and shifted upper level to provide large overhangs for shading. This rotation also physically and visually connects units to one another, forming a braid of activities and retail. Gradient colors below the cantilevers are mirrored onto the paving as colorful decks
program & use
at the Warehouse, we center a large open space around communal dining, and retrofit that area with skylights. The northern portion of the warehouse houses the new 12,000 SF brewery/bar/restaurant. The western exit leads to an outdoor shaded marketplace, while to the south of the Warehouse the boardwalk ascends to generate seating for a large-scale open-air amphitheater, a perfect venue for all types of large community and/or family events, from live theatre to music concerts, to storytelling for children. The south warehouse facade incorporates a large screen for outdoor movies
impact & significance
we design these grounds and their activities to be opposite of the typical strip mall development, engaging the surrounding grounds through a fluid indoor, outdoor experience, anchored by a local brewery/restaurant, a marketplace for local produce and food vendors, and an outdoor amphitheater for its community
