Given the pressures and demands pressing on the shape of automotive architecture (and we understand how numerous and determining they certainly are), a real debate about  ‘form’ is rarely one that crosses the table.

While the state of the economy will most likely mean that’s not, realistically, going to change any time soon we shouldn’t ignore the positive impact of building forms that ‘afford’ the idea of a distinct experience. Be that ideas about ‘welcoming’, ‘warmth’, ‘community’ or any other.

Stöðin Roadside Stop by KRADS…

…is a notable example of revisiting and re-interpreting – the ‘diner’ as part of the car-ownership experience – applied to a fuel station. Outside of automotive ‘brand statements’ where or who else is thinking about the nature of a building’s ‘visual properties’? Properties to help, or indeed be the shape of, the experience your brands require you to present and deliver?

In Iceland, with such trying economics as a background, it’s a heartening sight. Just think of the positive effect this thinking would have on your local environment.