Camburas Theodore’s (CT) Greenhouse is a 14,000 sf, 2 level flagship dispensary and education hub for recreational cannabis company Grassroots (Now Curaleaf). Dynamic flowing lines are used to revive and enhance an existing building originally designed by esteemed Chicago firm Epstein in 1956.
Over the past 60 years the existing building had undergone several remodels subjecting its character to an eclectic array of architectural trends and styles. CT’s approach was to revitalize the building with a sense of clarity and uniformity by transcribing the vibrant energy of the site onto its façade and into its interior space for patrons to experience.
Energy driven forms lift while sweeping across the curving street front façade. The pleated shapes crescendo a top an existing curtainwall that emits diffused daylight into a double height interior space. The building’s flowing lines continue inside guiding patrons through a freeform animated experience.
Customers are greeted at a reception kiosk and escorted through the retail area where they are then free to explore, learn and purchase a variety of cannabis related merchandise. The sales floor is furnished with 14 point-of-sale stations, custom product display furniture, and educational installations throughout. A fluid winding stair leads patrons upstairs to the mezzanine where pre-order pick-up counters and lounge areas overlook the double height retail space below.
Several digital fabrication techniques were used to accomplish the segmentation, production, and installation of the morphing façade form. The lofted geometry was radially sliced in 16” increments in accordance with the sub-framing. Templates of each section slice were used to guide blocks of high-density foam through hot wire cutters. Each component was then labeled and prepped for shipment and installation onsite. Once installed the segmented forms were coated with a plaster finish for a seamless appearance.