Tasty Break Perched amid open green space, Frenchies Frozen Yogurt Lounge in Winchester, Virginia, has become a destination in itself. Once just the waiting room for a car wash, this vibrant spot has been transformed by KUBE Architects to fit the owners’ vision for a flexible space that entertains patrons while their cars are washed, inviting them to snack, play and relax in a fun, kid-friendly atmosphere. By shifting the locations of the bathrooms and kitchen behind the car wash, architect Richard Loosle-Ortega created a glass-walled lounge that takes advantage of outdoor views; the revamped space also includes a children’s play area, the re-sited kitchen and dining space, a self-serve yogurt bar and deck. Brightly colored ceiling panels in Acrylite (recycled acrylic) and colorful, changing LED lights draw attention with a playful vibe; Loosle and his team also incorporated recycled rubber flooring in the play area, porcelain tile and Viroc, a recycled cement-board surface. A NanaWall opens to the deck, where customers can enjoy frozen yogurt—whether or not they are waiting for a car to emerge.

RENOVATION ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN: RICHARD LOOSLE-ORTEGA, RA, principal-in-charge, ANDREW BALDWIN, design associate, KUBE Architecture, Washington, DC. CONTRACTOR: CASEY CAO, Northeast Construction Corp, Springfield, Virginia.