Request for Proposal Response

* To redesign,
* renovate and change the Grounds for Change coffee shop of Allegheny College campus to be
* creative,
* innovative,
* cost efficient,
* environmentally friendly and
* versatile. The new Grounds for Change design should also
* express the "unusual combinations" that are often touted as a standout of Allegheny College.

Dear Ms. Caputo:

This letter is in response to your request for the renovation of the Grounds for Change coffee shop on your campus. We the associates at Evergreen Design and Construction offer our clients unique plans and creative ideas in order to achieve business sustainability. After having reviewed your request, we feel confident in our abilities to meet your needs.

Our plan and proposal meet your specifications by offering innovative, creative and cost-efficient designs to meet the needs of the Allegheny College community. Through an on-campus survey, we have been able to determine your clientele's specific wants and include them in the designs and plan.

We intend to update the layout of your coffee shop and create themed seating areas which will highlight student artwork. We also suggest implementing several practices to save your organization money, including reupholstering existing sofas with organic fabrics and recycling gently-used furniture from different areas on campus.

Evergreen Design and Construction appreciates and applauds your dedication to promoting and practicing environmental and local sustainability. By working together, Grounds for Change can become an example to all college owned and operated coffee shops.

Sincerely,

B. Smith, Sustainability Associate
T. Hadley, Design Associate
K. Rudolph, Interior Designer

This report was prepared in response to the request for the renovation of Grounds for Change coffee shop at Allegheny College. In regards to GFC's commitment to environmental responsibility, this proposal has been designed around the concepts of reducing, reusing and refurbishing. The plan includes the rearrangement of the coffee shop's layout to meet the needs of students and coffee shop patrons by creating distinct study and seating areas, as well as a performance space for special events. These spaces will be enhanced by the increased use of student artwork and recycled lighting fixtures from other locations on campus. The proposal also calls for the use of non-toxic and chemical-free paints and the reupholstering of existing furniture with sustainable hemp fabric. This will lower renovation costs for Grounds for Change. Composting will become readily available to students by installing new composting and recycling bins. Gently-used shelving units will be added for used books and plants. The renovations will result in increased profits for Grounds for Change within five years and enhance the customers' experience by better fulfilling their needs.

Evergreen Design and Construction conducted a survey on Allegheny's campus to assess the needs and desires of the student community in regards to the Grounds for Change coffee shop. Students voiced concerns about noise pollution, furniture condition, and the overall layout and design. The results of the survey can be found in the graph below. Over 400 Allegheny students were invited, at random, to participate in this survey, which demonstrates a +/- 3% error.



In order to help our clients meet the needs of a varied consumer base, Evergreen Design and Construction focuses its efforts on environmental sustainability, unique design, and a creative approach to renovation. To emphasize cost efficiency in the medium to long run, our designs and plans utilize durable and long-lasting materials. When readily available, recycled supplies are also used during renovations to further reduce costs.

Our commitment to eco-friendly standards will satisfy the customers of Grounds for Change and compliment GFC's existing green initiatives. The overall design will meet the needs and wants of the students identified through the on-campus survey and make Grounds for Change an example among all college-owned coffee houses.

To better help Grounds for Change fulfill its commitment as an environmental and local sustainable business, we suggest the following plans to reduce, reuse and refurbish throughout the renovations of the coffee shop:

According to survey results, 23.3% of respondents felt that noise pollution prevented them from attending GFC as often as they would like. In order to address this problem, the new Grounds for Change design includes themed seating and work areas, which will be more conducive to private conversation and studying. This, in turn, will reduce the noise volume and break up the coffee shop's layout.

The walls in this section of the coffee shop will be painted with a dark blue. The two sofas will be reupholstered with burnt orange fabric which will make the furniture standout from its surroundings, creating a comfortable and more intimate atmosphere. There will also be a green overstuffed chair and striped loveseat in this section. Student artwork following the jazz theme will be hung on the walls.

This area of the coffee shop will feature a French café theme. The piano will be the focal point of this section, where it will be complemented by three overstuffed chocolate-colored chairs and a coffee table. The artwork in this section will include highlights of a Paris cityscape.

This area will be multifunctional and feature a modern, European theme. The stage (not pictured here. Furniture will sit atop it.) will be relocated to this area where a black curtain will serve as the backdrop. It will also feature two modern rockers with ottomans upholstered in a durable and stain-resistant white fabric. There will also be two irregularly-shaped end tables and two whicker ottomans to serve as tables.

This section of the coffee ship will feature a hip and urban theme. There will be a graffiti wall where GFC patrons will be able to leave a permanent mark on the space. The large wooden booths will be located in this area, and the seats will be upholstered in green fabric. The rougher look of the wood and the green seating color will be reminiscent of the 'gritty' feel of the London Punk genre. A blue area rug will be placed in the corner near the windows, as well as two black, low sitting leather chairs for private or study seating.

Below one can see the overall layout of the newly designed Grounds for Change coffee shop. The various seating groups can be seen as clearly separated from one another. This will assist with the noise problems reported by containing conversations to the specific seating area. More seating has also been added to accommodate more patrons while walking space has been carefully considered.

In addition to the seating arrangement, we propose the installation of a composting and recycling area in Grounds for Change coffee shop. The GFC survey found that 16.6% of those interviewed requested compositing to serve both the needs of employees and patrons.

By implementing the increased use of student artwork in the coffee shop, Grounds for Change can reuse art that is no longer on display elsewhere on campus. This allows the continued promotion of student artists and enhances the uniquely designed seating areas.

In order to create an inviting and welcoming place to read, the new plans call for the installation of a bookcase, which is being donated by the Admissions Office as it moves to its new building on campus. The gently-used bookshelf will house books donated from several sources, including the library and campus bookstore.

To make GFC a more organic and cozy place to relax on campus, as well as adhering to the requests in the campus survey, new plants will be added to the coffee shop in addition to those already on location. These plants can be relocated and reused from other areas on campus such as Reis Hall, Pelletier Library and the Wise Center.

In order to reduce the costs of the overall renovation of Grounds for Change coffee shop and remain true to their commitment to sustainable construction, many of the existing furniture pieces will be reupholstered and refinished.

This type of fabric is heavier and more durable than most other fabrics used in upholstering. In addition, it is more sustainable because hemp is easily renewable and does not contain synthetic fibers that contain harmful chemicals. Hemp fabric is also dyed through natural techniques, thus safer for coffee shop patrons. As one can see above in the layout designs, Chocolate Brown will be used on three overstuffed chairs. In addition, both the Burnt Orange and Seaweed Green will be used to reupholster the two sofas and two booths, respectively.

By using nontoxic paint, Grounds for Change can create a safe and chemical-free environment for its customers. Such paints also reduce the amount of allergens, which is important in colder climates where winter months prohibit good air circulation. In addition, these types of paint are durable, long-lasting and cost efficient. The After Storm Blue paint will be used on the wall in the American Jazz seating area in order to separate it from the rest of the space. The new design will feature the Chestnut paint color throughout the rest of GFC.

The various end tables, coffee tables and all wooden components of the coffee house furniture will be refinished in cherry to bring uniformity throughout the GFC space.

Day 1: Remove furniture and paint walls
Day 2: Refinish woodwork and repair furniture
Day 3: Reupholster sofas and chairs
Day 4: Reupholster sofas and chairs / Clean Rugs
Day 5: Transport gently-used items from around campus
Day 6: Layout setup
Day 7: Cleaning and final touches/ accessory placement

........................Evergreen Design and Construction Price..............Competitor Price

The new and creative design offers Grounds for Change an exciting and fresh renovation to its current layout and dedication to green initiatives. By introducing themed seating areas and cost effective techniques, GFC is able to incorporate much of its existing furniture and layout which has served the coffee shop over the past six years. The new layout is more conducive to private conversation and studying which will greatly reduce noise. The seating areas are multifunctional and create a comfortable place where GFC patrons can take a break between classes or in the evening; the design also allows for easy transition when events are scheduled.

By applying nontoxic and chemical free paint to the walls, GFC can become an inviting and comfortable space for all Allegheny Students to enjoy. The color theme will also help separate the spaces, and offer a warm and welcoming atmosphere. By reupholstering the sofas, chairs and booths with hemp fabric, GFC will not only save money, but remain true to its commitment to sustainability by reducing consumption and reusing existing furniture. The coffee shop's area rugs will also be cleaned and reused, along with the introduction of a new rug in the American Jazz section of GFC.

The designs and layout offered by Evergreen Design and Construction are different. Innovative, creative and cost efficient, the ultimate result will be a coffee shop better equipped and designed to meet the needs of its consumers as well as staying true to its commitment to being green. Evergreen can help Grounds for Change achieve both initiatives without jeopardizing one for the other.

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