Comma-Q Architecture, Inc.
109 North Rouse Avenue # 1
Bozeman, MT 59715
(406) 585-1112
Community Food Co-op
Completed in the summer of 2002, the new Community Food Co-op expands upon a vibrant community resource that to many Bozeman citizens is more than just a ‘grocery store’. The new Co-op features a naturally lit open area with an overlooking dining mezzanine, outdoor deck, energy efficient systems such as daylight responsive lighting controls and a photovoltaic array, as well as a much needed employee lounge and break area. Rugged recycled wood trusses, exposed structural members, and a palette of agricultural materials are utilized throughout the project to symbolize the Co-op’s agricultural roots and express the ‘funky ag’ directive of the Co-op’s Building Committee
Many variables were considered in the development of a design solution. They included: the constraints of expansion on a small site adjacent to both Main Street and a residential neighborhood; regional context and expression of agricultural heritage; the use of sustainable building systems, efficient technologies, and ‘green’ materials selected on a variety of criteria: environmental considerations, low maintenance, aesthetic appearance, durability, economy, life cycle cost, appropriateness, and availability; collaboration with the Co-op and its members to integrate custom-built store fixtures, signage, and artwork as a part of the final design solution; and minimal disruption to the existing business during construction.