Three Rivers Market: Making a Community Impact
At Studio Four Design, our driving motivation is that Design Matters because people matter.
We love to look beyond the completion of a project to the actual impact it will have in the lives of the people who will work, use, and experience the space.
As the winner of the 2023 Mary Lou Horner Award for the project that is continuing to maintain excellence more than ten years after its completion, Three Rivers Market continues to be an impactful, welcoming community presence in North Knoxville. From the moment you arrive on the property, the attractive façade, purposefully designed outdoor spaces, and the use of natural building materials create a warm, friendly environment. The colorful Community Board just inside the entrance greets members with local news, events, and opportunities.
The original Three Rivers Market location, located in an older home, had a segmented layout with only one entrance shared by customers and staff. The single entrance also served as access for deliveries throughout the day which at times resulted in an inefficient traffic flow. One specific advantage of the new location was the opportunity to have a designated loading dock for deliveries and a well-defined entrance for customers.
Andreas Bastias, Education, Engagement, & Outreach Coordinator at Three Rivers Market, commented on the thoughtful design that is marked by gathering spaces and attractive, spacious shopping areas. With one primary entrance, the staff can engage directly with visitors and build relationships with the individuals and families that frequent the store. Many repeat customers and staff members greet each other by name and have built friendships as a result of their ongoing interaction. Long-time customer, James, commented on the friendly atmosphere and described Three Rivers Market “like a neighborhood marketplace.”
Not just a food co-op, Three Rivers Market offers a spacious seating area and hot bar, where some customers stop in for lunch during the workday. The comfortable, covered outdoor seating areas offer a relaxing setting where patrons can connect with nature and enjoy a restful spot. As Andreas described, there’s a beautiful “interplay of the landscape and the building with the outdoor seating area. It feels very connected to the earth even though it’s in an urban context.” The bike racks and designated spaces for four-legged friends mean that customers are welcome to stop in as they go through their day with pets along for company.
Whether customers stop in for a meal during their lunch break or want to enjoy a leisurely shopping trip, visitors are encouraged to interact, relax, and enjoy their time in the store. “If people want to stop in for a quick lunch or stay for an hour and a half to chat and shop”, described Andreas, they are welcome to enjoy the space and comfortable atmosphere for whatever their needs are during that visit.
If you’re looking for a comfortable, welcoming place to shop for fresh foods, plants, or other household essentials or just have time for a quick, delicious meal, don’t miss an opportunity to visit Three Rivers Market. This Studio Four Design project, even more than a decade later, is a perfect example of how good design can positively impact lives.
About Three Rivers Market
Located on Central Avenue in North Knoxville, Three Rivers Market provides “a cooperative center of sustainable commerce that exists to benefit its members by creating and nourishing a healthier environment, healthier people, and a healthier community.” Three Rivers is committed to engaging with the local economy, providing access to healthy foods for the community, showing respect for the natural world, and caring for people.
About Studio Four Design Inc.
Since 2002, Studio Four Design based in Knoxville, Tennessee has served as a premiere architectural and interior design firm in their region and beyond. Their guiding principle is Design Matters, and their goal is to exceed expectations to provide design solutions that positively impact their clients, community, and the organizations they serve. Their team has gained expertise on a select variety of project types over the last twenty years including churches, higher education, restaurants, retail, corporate, manufacturing, athletic, and recreational venues. Studio Four Design takes pride in its high-energy, performance-driven culture and its collaborative approach to working with its clients, consultants, and contractors. To find out more, call 865-523-5001 or visit http://studiofourdesign.com.