Won’t Be Long Now

Aug 31

Reinventing the retail line

This idea was originally submitted in French.

By: A4 architecture + design

Gatineau’s main street in Aylmer is a dynamic hub of the city. In fact, shops, institutions, religious places, parks and even a weekly market rub shoulders there.

This pandemic has changed the limits of public and private space; closed use spaces are looking to be more open to the outside and for that to happen we must invest in the street, its sidewalks, its parking spaces.

More than ever, during the pandemic, the actors of this street are mobilizing to find solutions which most often result in signage. After undertaking an in-depth study of Aylmer’s main street, several concepts were developed for adapted and ergonomic comfort for users. This submission focuses on one of those ideas: The queues in front of shops, while previously used sparingly, have become a regular part of life.

This design proposes a series of self-supporting modules, in the goal of improving customer wait times and allowing merchants to use them as outdoor facilities. These modules are, primarily, physical spaces for waiting. Whether they are against a wall or use part of the sidewalk space, they are intended to take up as little space as possible.

With an opportunity to lean back or even sit down while waiting, the time seems immediately shorter.

Details

Budget: The "Won’t Be Long Now" modules have a total budget of $960 excluding tax for all modules, i.e. 8 modules (based on retail prices at a hardware store). Construction elements (folding brackets, angles, wood screws and base for terrace), treatment products (white paint and water repellent protector) are included in the budget. Labor is not included because these modules have simple designs, allowing all interested parties, to carry them out themselves or to have them built by a vendor of their choice.

Materials and fabrication: The "Won’t Be Long Now" modules are made of: water repellent bleached OSB (oriented strand board), polycarbonate honeycomb and base for concrete decks. These items can be purchased at a hardware store and can be assembled easily.

Manufacturing steps:

The OSB will be cut and painted white (one coat only) and finally treated with water repellent.
The polycarbonate will be cut.
All these elements will be assembled using a terrace base, folding brackets, angles and wood screws.

These modules are simple to implement and can be used in multiple ways according to the needs.

Installation and other services: The modules have been designed to be easily removable and transportable.