A downtown Phoenix car-maintenance shop is challenging ASU students in the School of Architecture and Landscape Design to help nip and tuck their oldest store and give it some curb appeal.
Sun Devil Auto, a family-owned auto-shop with 21 locations in the Phoenix area, is holding a contest for students to come up with a retrospective design concept that captures the company’s brand of the late 1970s while also showcasing a modern-day theme that gives their shop on West Van Buren Street near North Second Avenue a sophisticated feel.
“Sun Devil Auto’s oldest building is looking for young designers that have cutting edge ideas,” said Jackie Carro, marketing director for Sun Devil Auto.
The building’s construction was completed in 1931, and it has not been given an updated feel since.
“We’re just looking for something that’s remade and gives it a fresh look,” President of Sun Devil Auto Tom Higginbotham said. “It’s a creative way to approach it.”
Sun Devil Auto is encouraging ASU architecture and design students to get into teams and generate a 24 inch by 60 inch vertical board that reflects paint, fixtures, landscape, sculpture, window decor and other architectural details — each of which must be compliant with City of Phoenix ordinances.
“We are looking to attract more customers,” Carro said. “The way it looks right now, it looks like it hasn’t been maintained.”
The winning students will receive $1000, $500 and $250 for first place, second place, and third place respectively. The students will also have an opportunity to consult on putting their ideas into action for hire.
“We thought it would be a good way to get involved with the school,” Higginbotham said. “This will be an actual job and give them some real-time practical experience throughout the ordeal.”
Sun Devil Auto will facilitate the contractors, vendors and individuals needed to make the winning team’s vision come to life.
Qianyi Ye, an architecture junior, entered the challenge after she saw a notice from the school.
“I thought it would be really interesting to redevelop the building,” Ye said. “We’ve already been talking about some possibilities.”
The contest started Nov. 1 and will continue through Dec. 27. Winning students will be notified on Feb. 1. Construction on the building will begin in summer 2011. Students that want to take part in this challenge may apply at SunDevilAuto.com.
Contact the reporter at emma.jarrett@asu.edu
