Architechural

With blocks that are longer in length, narrow corridors provide the opportunity for cut throughs. These corridors feature small merchant spaces.

These narrow passageways serve as an access point but also enable the development of secondary merchant spaces. Oftentimes these passageways are narrow in width which translates to the size of the merchant space. These merchant spaces are formal in nature but also provide an opportunity for inclusive economic development by providing inexpensive space for rent. The narrowness enclosure makes it a design challenge.

In some cases, these spaces are open to the elements. In this design pattern, the secondary story provides enough space for natural ventilation to occur.

If shops are street level or pedestrian level, water drainage become important. Continuing, there is no separation between the street and entrance. In some cases, ramps are used and in others, steps to maintain pedestrian focus.

o maintain a focus on pedestrian-oriented design, merchant space entrances are even with the pedestrian walkway. This pavement is positioned for water to flow away from the shop entrances. There are design patterns where the drainage is covered by grates along the entrances of the merchant spaces.

Merchant spaces also feature temporary enclosures for seasonal change.

This scope of temporary enclosures for seasonality spans from awnings, the sheet plastic curtains, to pergolas. The application depends on the context of the merchant space. For example, plastic curtains help minimize the impacts of environment conditions. A pergola provides shading for outdoor dining. Awnings extend over merchandise to also protect from environment conditions.

More formal restaurants feature hallway waiting areas and off-street dining.

This design pattern focuses on the design of more intimate settings. In the design of this space, the hallways is positioned along the length of a merchant space that has an entrance open to the street. The dining space is placed behind the merchant space.

For the design of merchant spaces, it is important to consider the width of the store. In some cases, in is 12′ wide up to 20′ wide.

The width of storefronts helps maintain pedestrian-oriented scale. This also provides the opportunity for multiple smaller storefronts within the area.