Located in downtown Los Altos, the highlight of this adaptive re-use project is the introduction of a new façade that enables the circa 1950’s building to morph from an enclosed structure into an environment that invites the community into the space. The transformation was achieved by essentially replacing the entire front façade with a double‑height, double hung floor‑to‑ceiling window wall that can be raised or lowered depending upon the needs of the user. The wall is operated by engaging a pedal – to unlock the safety mechanism – then turning a hand wheel which activates a series of gears and pulleys that opens the sixteen‑by‑ten‑foot, two thousand pound window wall. When closed, visitors to the shop enter through a ten‑foot‑tall pivot door.