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MAIN STREET PROJECT
LOCATION HOUMA, LA COMPLETION TO BE DETERMINED ARCHITECT SHELLEY OLIVIER,AIA 
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PROJECT STATEMENT
The Main Street Program attempts to give direction to building and business owners seeking to improve the facades of their buildings. The program encourages property owners, merchants and residents to recognize, enhance, protect and promote the district's unique character and identity. Studies have shown that thoughtful design improvements often lead to greater sales for business. The physical character of a downtown area contributes greatly to the overall image of the community for its residents, customers and visitors. The goal is to encourage appropriate new construction to revitalize downtown Houma as an attractive and lively city center. We want to create a safe, inviting environment for shoppers, workers and visitors.
From a cultural standpoint, cafes largely serve as centers of social interaction and should offer a more open public space. The existing storefront is replaced with a large sliding window and a glass garage door to engage the outdoors creating a more inviting environment. Some of the existing brick is painted to frame the new plastered facade resulting in a more modern aesthetic. The new suspended canopy attached to the existing structural beam provides shade and highlights the entrance.
A new perforated metal panel screen is attached to the existing facade of 7905 Main Street to cover its crumbing brickwork details and punched openings to be filled in. The perforation allows diffused southern light to enter the architectural design studio, a quality of light highly desired when drafting and modeling. The building is instantly transformed into a modern product paralleling to the quality of work its occupants produce.
The simple palette of painted brick, plaster and metal panels detailed carefully creates an impression of quality and longevity. The overall composition provides a sense of cohesiveness within the street block without strict uniformity.
The Main Street Program attempts to give direction to building and business owners seeking to improve the facades of their buildings. The program encourages property owners, merchants and residents to recognize, enhance, protect and promote the district's unique character and identity. Studies have shown that thoughtful design improvements often lead to greater sales for business. The physical character of a downtown area contributes greatly to the overall image of the community for its residents, customers and visitors. The goal is to encourage appropriate new construction to revitalize downtown Houma as an attractive and lively city center. We want to create a safe, inviting environment for shoppers, workers and visitors.
From a cultural standpoint, cafes largely serve as centers of social interaction and should offer a more open public space. The existing storefront is replaced with a large sliding window and a glass garage door to engage the outdoors creating a more inviting environment. Some of the existing brick is painted to frame the new plastered facade resulting in a more modern aesthetic. The new suspended canopy attached to the existing structural beam provides shade and highlights the entrance.
A new perforated metal panel screen is attached to the existing facade of 7905 Main Street to cover its crumbing brickwork details and punched openings to be filled in. The perforation allows diffused southern light to enter the architectural design studio, a quality of light highly desired when drafting and modeling. The building is instantly transformed into a modern product paralleling to the quality of work its occupants produce.
The simple palette of painted brick, plaster and metal panels detailed carefully creates an impression of quality and longevity. The overall composition provides a sense of cohesiveness within the street block without strict uniformity.
