United by Blue

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

LEED Platinum flagship retail store + cafe telling the UxB story of restoring and protecting waterways

Three big ideas:

Retail/Cafe,
Salvaged Materials,
Outdoorsy

As a maker of ‘responsible, durable goods,’ United by Blue wanted their 3,500 sf flagship retail store and café to embody the style, craft, and ecological sensitivity that is endemic to their brand.

The flow of the store creates a blended retail-café experience, both indoors and out-of-doors. Fixed features are located along the perimeter to allow maximum flexibility for changes in retail displays as well as for hosting community events. Repurposed wood, salvaged slate, vintage marble tile, and plantings work together to soften the minimalistic glass and concrete space and also helped the project achieve LEED Platinum certification.

Fast Facts

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Reclaimed woods as diverse as a forest—walnut, popular, black walnut, douglas fir, heart pine - used for tables, ceilings, trim, dressing rooms, etc.

Sustainability messaging throughout the store

Salvaged materials include wood timbers, barn wood siding, factory glass panes, slate chalkboards, and wood water tanks

LEED CI Platinum Certified

Green Building United Groundbreakers Community Leadership Awardee

“Re:Vision has been the perfect fit for our team. Not only are they one of the best architectural and LEED consultants in the area, but their team has been incredible to work with: smart, patient, and focused on our goals and vision. They’ve helped push our project through each stage of development and guided us through the entire process. ”

– Mike Cangi, Vice President, United by Blue

Project Gallery

The fitting room cabin was constructed out of all salvaged material.
Biophilic elements such as split wood were incorporated throughout the store.
Nature based design was extended all the way to the gender neutral toilet rooms.
The main retail space created small intimate rooms within a cavernous tenant shell space.
The cafe area is defined by a salvaged wood ceiling and includes locally crafted furniture made of reclaimed materials.
The coffee bar cabin utilizes slate reclaimed from Philadelphia schools and live edge black walnut countertops.
The cafe features a full service kitchen specializing in local ingredients with a service counter topped in a soapstone slab.
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