Purlieu

869 Fite Rd., Memphis, TN 38127 United States

Building Area (sf): 2,400

Completion: March 2024

The project transformed an existing former civic club building into a cycling destination and small event center. The project improves and rebrands the existing structure through reinvention of the arrival sequence, new roofing, and a simple paint scheme.

Located only 11 miles from downtown Memphis, Purlieu lies just outside the boundary of Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park. The building acts as a training ride launch point for cycling routes through the hilly surrounding area and as a locale for post-ride social events. Due to a tight budget, the improvements had to be minimal, yet impactful. An existing entry vestibule was removed. A new entry porch was developed in tandem with the creative paint scheme that integrates the client’s branding. The entry porch adds clarity to the entry and arrival sequence. New doors, windows, and roofing round out the exterior upgrades. Interior upgrades were limited to paint finishes and fixture replacements.
For the exterior design strategy, the team drew inspiration from the historic definition of purlieu. The term has roots in 16th century England and describes “a tract on the border of a forest and still partially subjected to forest laws.”
The paint scheme for this modern-day refuge nods to tent-like structures using natural colors that blend with ground cover while sitting quietly at the edge of trees. In order to visually mark the entry, the paint is lightened below a continuous diagonal line from front to back - playfully imitating a lifted tent corner while creating layered roof shadow compositions. In addition, this angular line of the paint scheme evokes the triangular forms found in bicycle frames. The new porch extends the existing roof and rests upon expressive wood columns and a new scissor truss.
While the client initially came to our design team simply requesting “advice” related to exterior touch-ups and not a “design,” we saw an opportunity to show that transformative solutions can fit within a tight budget (sub $100K) and positively impact users and neighbors alike.

1 – Aerial vicinity plan. Building shown in blue and parking areas in grey. Photo courtesy of OOBA.
2 – Existing Building. Photo courtesy of OOBA.
3 – Corner view of renovated building. Photo courtesy of OOBA.
4 – View from porch (left). Floor plan (right). Photo courtesy of OOBA.
5 – Elevation view of new porch showing existing porch at rear. Photo courtesy of OOBA.
6 - Primary elevations. Photo courtesy of OOBA.
7 – View from existing porch. Photo courtesy of OOBA.
8 – Detail view of new porch. Column fabrication drawings. Photo courtesy of OOBA.
9 – Interior view. Photo courtesy of OOBA.
10 – View from road. Photo courtesy of OOBA.