Niello Volkswagen
Sacramento, California

murakami/Nelson designed the Niello Company’s Volkswagen dealership in Sacramento, California. An addition for Service Administration, extensive remodeling of the showroom, and improvements to the exterior facade of the existing 34,700 sq. ft. facility were completed at the beginning of 2003. To convey the unique look of Volkswagen products, the interior of the showroom was redesigned to include new porcelain tile flooring, new ceiling and lighting, and a new, full-height, curved focal brand wall, complemented by a new curved stair leading to the upper floor. Other interior improvements range from a remodel of the retail parts area and the addition of new accessible toilet rooms, to a new automatic fire sprinkler system throughout the entire facility. The design motif of the curved wall is also reflected at the exterior with the addition of a new curved entry portal complete with a radiused steel canopy. The 22-foot tall portal serves as the new main entry to the showroom and also as an identifiable element for the entire dealership. Cement plaster painted two shades of yellow and divided by aluminum reveals will clad the entry portal, which also supports a Volkswagen logo clip. For maximum visibility into the showroom, a new aluminum curtain wall system with high performance, energy-efficient insulated glazing was used at the perimeter walls of the showroom.