Its canopy has LED lights that use very [image-nocss] little power and don't let light spill off the site, while Sola Tubes let natural light enter the store through several small openings, even in the restrooms, said the report. There are solar panels positioned on the roof in the back, creating some power to help keep the beer cold and providing a digital readout of exactly how many pounds of carbon dioxide are being saved.
"It is an experiment," Jordan told Post & Courier architecture columnist Robert Behre.
His thinking began with a simple idea: "Let's do something cool."
The other goal, besides sustainability, was to make the building fit into the community, the report said. That explains why the roof is black metal and not covered with plants. "Black isn't necessarily a sustainable color, but I wanted to tie it in with some traditional Summerville architecture," Karpus said. "You don't want a gas station that looks like a space ship trying to take off."
Jordan also was responsible for the new Kangaroo station on Highway 61 designed by Coast Architects, but that project was more notable for its exuberant canopy and other efforts to make it pedestrian friendly, according to Behre.
The Knightsville station also features an innovative canopy with two curved overlapping roofs that let some light through, and Karpus said the concept is to make it more inviting to open it up to the building.
Jordan added that these novel steps added about 10% to the station's costa price he had the freedom to pay because he developed the station himself rather than for a larger corporation, he told the newspaper.
He reckoned that some of the station's environmental features may be attracting customers, while others don't. He likened it to the quip by retail pioneer John Wanamaker, who once said he knows he wastes half his money on advertisinghe just wasn't sure which half.
"I don't know what I could be wasting on this station," Jordan said, "but I'll tell you what. It's cool."
He added that the station is busier than he would have expected, and he attributed some of that to the design. Many have thanked him for doing something so nice, and he said he now plans to build others just like it in Goose Creek and Ladson.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.