Village Market
Nantucket, MA
The Market plan is a pedestrian-oriented alternative design to a previous, over-scaled ‘big box’ store and parking lot scheme proposed in a highly visible public hearing process. To better address community concerns, this plan proposes a 40% reduction in building area and an architectural scale and character more suitable to Nantucket.
Inspiration for the character of this mercantile center is drawn from the working shed buildings of the whaling industry on the historic waterfront.
The big box store is turned to face a ‘main street’, framed by long, wharf shed type buildings that block views of the parking lots behind. The large scale of the store structure is moderated by its articulation as a collection of smaller buildings. Inside, the store’s center axis is conceived as a skylit spine in alignment with a kitchen herb garden and other community amenities. The plan also includes community & employee housing, a playground and an open-air produce market pavilion.
