MERCHANT MAGAZINE | February 14, 2018 by David Koenig
Since it’s founding in 1954, Northern California dealer Golden State Lumber has opened six lumberyards plus a sales office in Vancouver, Wa., but its addition last year in Concord, Ca., was its first to feature a drive-thru lumberyard.
Since it’s founding in 1954, Northern California dealer Golden State Lumber has opened six lumberyards plus a sales office in Vancouver, Wa., but its addition last year in Concord, Ca., was its first to feature a drive-thru lumberyard.
So far, customers have given high marks to the ultra-modern facility and foot traffic has been building in each of the six months since its July 2017 soft opening.
At a combined total of 75,454 sq. ft., the new location features a 4,650-sq. ft. showroom, 7,000 sq. ft. of retail space, 44,400-sq. ft. indoor drive-thru lumberyard, and 11,000-sq. ft. office/sales area.
To create a haven for both professionals and DIYers, third-generation owner Seth Nobmann turned to award-winning, Alameda, Ca.-based architecture firm MBH Architects in May 2013.
The first planning package was submitted to the city of Concord four months later. The city’s planning department approved the project in November 2015. The 15-month build started in April 2016. MBH designed the exterior of the drive-thru lumberyard and the loading/unloading area. Krauter/Auto-Stak assisted in the design and build of the drive-thru lumberyard structure, the indoor storage racks, the yard itself, and the loading/unloading dock.
The heart of the facility is its indoor lumberyard, created as a full retail center. The ability to drive a car or truck directly into the space is perfect for inclimate weather, making sure materials don’t get damaged.
The retail space provides design assistance to clients and carries a large variety of products, includes lumber (including FSC certified), engineered wood, hardware, trim, doors, windows and specialties.
The basis of MBH Architect’s concept was to take an industrial building and subdivide it into a more human-scale, creating a building complementary of its time. To do this, MBH used simple materials with different colors and patterns at varying scales to express movement throughout the spaces.
The parking lot is separated from the main yard by a custom laser-cut fence that was implemented to enhance security. The laser-cut oxidizing steel was inspired by the cut-end of a large, old tree, also serving an aesthetic and protective function. Security can view the drive-thru lumberyard through the “tree’s” annual rings, allowing visitors to feel at ease that their property will be safe while they shop.
An official grand opening was held Sept. 15, 2017.
“What a great experience it was working with a team that is pushing the lumberyard industry,” noted MBH job captain Claudia Raygoza. “Golden State Lumber is cutting edge, modern, and with a family-owned feel.”