#78 DESIGNING THE STORE * (revised 6/3) regional concepts of blockhouses

As the process begins for designing the “local flavor” of a green garden gates in a community and region, an artist will be hired from the area who has a history of the community and can best depict our business through the architecture of the structures, in order to be readily accepted into by the residents.

The Southwest design of the blockhouse will be used for this region. The colors will be in shades of browns and reds and tans. The exterior walls will be stucco. The lower entrance and the front design will have arched features. Window boxes will be installed on the second floor with flowers that compliment the building. The roof will be faux tile. The corners of the building will be rounded rather than angular in the fashion of a southwest structure.

The New England design, by contrast, will have bright colors that reflect the seashore and stand out against cloudy and cold days of the New England coastline. The windows will be paned with mullions. The awnings are rounded and arched. There are shutters on each window. Window boxes with flowers typical of New England gardens will be on both stories of the blockhouse. The roof will be dark composition shingles.

It is a simple design, with very few elements that require custom expensive work from the builders. Nearly all of the features can be purchased "off the shelf" or found as recycled materials. The design can also changed and updated in the future. The structure can be for a variety of uses for good re-sale value, if that ever is needed.