DAVIDsTEA

September 2012

Project Manager at Jordan Parnass Digital Architecture

Roll out application of the DAVIDsTEA re-branded store experience for two NY locations. Project Phases include Schematic Design, Construction Documents and Construction Administration.

Despite being a roll out application of a chain tea store. Each location came with its unique challenges that, as project manager, I designed solutions to overcome. Although overall the roll out operation largely went smoothly one location in particular came with what seemed to come with every imaginable obstacle. For starters it was located in a land marked location with a community board that was displeased with previous tenants and determined to put up a fight. This obstacle uncovered previous violations that had been put on the building. A slight modification to our storefront design kept the piece and allowed us to proceed. That is until mother nature impeded her will and allowed hurricane Sandy to shut down our construction schedule and pretty much the entire city of New York for a few critical weeks. Minimal damaged compared to what was felt closer to the coastline but still a cautious reminder to us about the fragility of construction methods. 

In Sandy’s aftermath construction once again slowly regained speed. this time with a strongly reinforced temporary construction fence and scaffold and a intensely upgraded moisture protection for the sub grade storage cellar. A french drain leading to a sump pump along with a dehumidifier and double  door vestibule ensures that this location will be ready for the next big storm and ready to serve their precious tea. 

The difficulties with this particular location did not stop there, no , just when the light at the end of the tunnel seemed to be within reach the general contractor  decided to walk off the job with the store scheduled to open the following weekend. For the rest of the week my role as project manager greatly expanded as  I  found myself instructing laborers on the remaining tasks to be completed and even stepped in to lend a hand to put the finishing touches on the store. My mindset being  determined to finish this job reminding myself that we had simply overcome too much to give up now.  The store opened on time and all inspections passed with a minimal punch list. And the whole team finally was able to enjoy a well deserved cup of tea.

The DAVIDsTEA roll out continues across the United States with Jordan Parnass Digital Architecture and myself handling the northwest expansion. With four NYC locations under our belt the team at DAVIDsTEA looks to us for guidance when issues present themselves in the other territories. I have become their go to reference for project management and code related design issues that can’t be handled by their in house team. As the design becomes more streamlined for production more opportunities to improve the quality of the space present themselves. Outdoor seating or indoor lounges become the feature of any location and are preciously the element within the re-branded design meant to be left bespoke in order to reflect the unique character of each location,