SOLID OLIVE SOAP COMPANY
Highlands Ranch, Colorado
The Beginning
Not every retail space starts as retail.
This one started as an aging fitness center - outdated systems, leftover infrastructure, and a layout built for an entirely different purpose. But through a trusted relationship with a general contractor partner, the opportunity came to us early, before the space had been reimagined, before decisions were locked in.
That timing mattered.
Because what the client wasn’t looking for was just a renovation. They were building something new - a brand, an experience, and a retail concept designed to feel different the moment you walk in.
The Vision
The goal wasn’t to create another soap shop.
Solid Olive wanted a space that felt crafted, personal, and interactive; more like walking into a boutique bakery than a traditional retail store.
A place where:
Customers don’t just browse, they engage
Products aren’t just displayed, they’re experienced
The customer experiences the passion and craftsmanship of the soapmaker
This vision shaped every architectural decision that followed.
Reworking The Space
The existing 2,926 SF gym gave us a shell, but not a solution.
We had to carefully strip the space back through selective demolition, removing what no longer served the new use while working around structural and system constraints that couldn’t simply disappear.
At the same time, the project required a full change of use, shifting from a fitness facility to a retail environment. That meant stepping through code requirements methodically, life safety, accessibility, occupancy classifications, ensuring everything aligned with Douglas County standards.
And behind the walls, the reality was clear: some of the infrastructure, especially electrical, needed to be replaced entirely.
Designing The Experience
Instead of forcing a retail layout into the space, we built the experience from the inside out.
The plan centered around a bakery-inspired concept:
A welcoming retail floor where customers can explore freely
A central counter where products are assembled and customized
Moments of visibility into the process, giving customers a sense of connection to what they’re buying
Behind the scenes, we carefully separated what needed to stay operationally efficient:
Back-of-house storage and preparation
Staff areas, including a break room
Code-compliant restrooms
The result is a layout that feels simple when you walk through it, but is highly intentional underneath.
A True Team Effort
Projects like this don't come together in isolation. Solid Olive required close coordination across ownership, branding, and construction — with Sidney Aulds Building Studio carrying the vision from concept through completion.
Solid Olive Soap Company
Client & Brand Owner
The owner shaped the brief from the start. Understanding how the business actually operates day-to-day, how products move, how customers engage, how the back-of-house needs to function, was essential to getting the layout right.
Sidney Aulds Building Studio
Architect & Project Lead
We led the full architectural scope, from change-of-use permitting through Douglas County to interior design and construction coordination. Our role wasn't just to draw the space. It was to hold the vision across every decision, every constraint, and every discipline involved.
Paradigm Marketing
Brand & Marketing
Paradigm built the Solid Olive brand identity. Our job was to make sure the physical space told the same story — so that the moment a customer walks in, the architecture and the brand feel like one thing, not two.
Earth Saving Solutions
General Contractor
Earth Saving Solutions brought the design to life on the ground. They introduced this project to us through an ongoing working relationship, and executed the build while navigating the constraints of an existing structure.
The Outcome
What was once an outdated gym is now a warm, engaging retail environment that feels alive the moment you enter.
Customers can:
Interact with products
Customize selections
Experience the brand in a way that goes beyond a transaction
From a business standpoint, the space is efficient, compliant, and ready to scale.
And that’s key. Because this isn’t a one-off location, it’s the beginning of a growing retail footprint, with expansion already on the horizon.
Why This Project Matters
This project is a clear example of what happens when architecture goes beyond drawings.
It shows how:
The right team can shape the entire outcome of a project
Existing buildings can be successfully reconstructed into something entirely new
And most importantly, how design can translate a business idea into a physical experience people remember.
Thinking About Your Own Project?
If you’re looking at an existing space and wondering what it could become, that’s exactly where we start.
Whether it’s a retail conversion, adaptive reuse, or a ground-up concept, we help you move from idea → constraints → clarity → buildable design without losing the original vision along the way.
Book a 30-minute FREE consultation call here:
https://www.sidneyauldsbuildingstudio.com/#book-appointment
Or send your message to sidney@sidneyauldsbuildingstudio.com