MEETING OF THE CIVIC DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE
OF THE SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION
Monday, July 18, 2016
1:00 p.m.
401 Van Ness Avenue, Room 125

Minutes
 

Committee Chair Cass Calder Smith called the meeting to order at 1:09 p.m.

1. Roll Call
   Commissioners Present
   Cass Calder Smith, Chair
   Abby Sadin Schnair
   Paul Woolford
    

   ​Commissioners Absent
   Dorka Keehn
   Kimberlee Stryker

   Staff Present
   Jill Manton, Director, Public Art Trust and Special Initiatives
   Aleta Lee, Program Associate, Public Art Trust and Special Initiatives

2. Public Comment
   There was no public comment.
    
3. Consent Calendar 
   There was no public comment, and the Consent Calendar was approved unanimously as follows.

   1.     Motion to approve Post-Phase #3 Changes of the Treasure Island Ferry Shelter Project.

4. Oak Plaza: Phase #1
   Michelle Delk, Project Designer, Snohetta
   Jared Press, Project Manager, Build Public
    
   The design team presented the project, providing a background of the existing conditions of the site, project location, community engagement, design precedents, and proposed site plan. Various renderings from different viewpoints highlighted the wind canopies, seating, and pedestrian walkway. The team showcased the possibilities for programming and activation of the space, including plant palettes, retail kiosks, site furnishing and lighting, and arrangements of small, medium, and large informal performances spaces. The team then showcased the kinetic wind canopy art installation by artists David Delgado and Dan Goods who are part of the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Lastly, they shared a new strategy for long term stewardship of the plaza through taxes enforced within a designated services community facilities district map.
    
   The Committee suggested giving softness to the planters and avoiding sharp edges, as well as recommended the artists study Bill Fontana’s work. The Committee also wanted to see more illustration of the paving and asked to share studies on wind tunnel testing.
   
   There was no public comment, and the motion was unanimously approved as follows.
    
   Motion to approve Phase #1 of the Oak Plaza Project.

5. Angelo Rossi Pool Improvement Project: Conceptual Review
   Rafael Gutierrez, Project Designer, Public Works
   Levi Conover, Project Manager, SF Rec & Park
   Will Kwan, Architect, Public Works
   Edward Chin, Landscape Architect, Public Works
    
   The design team presented the project, starting with the historical context of the building as historic city resource, and one of the last of five historic pools to be renovated in the city. The team then presented the existing site and floor plan, along with a proposed floor plan which integrates an outdoor seating area and expansion of the entrance passage. Lastly, the team presented current exterior elevations and proposed elevations for the site.
     
   The Committee suggested that part of the project budget should be set aside for painting the building, as the color palette was out of date. They recommended bringing paint palette recommendations to the next review. The Committee also provided several suggestions for designing around the dehumidification unit, including burying the unit, keeping it as low as possible, and having the unit appear more detached. It was also suggested to use perforated metal as a material that would provide uniformity and durability.
     
   There was no further public comment.

    

6.  Willie ‘Woo Woo’ Wong Playground: Conceptual Review
   Cara Ruppert and Reem Assaf, Project Managers, SF Rec & Park
   Frank Merritt, Architect, Jensen Architects
   Willet Moss, Landscape Architect, CMG
   
   The design team began by presenting the project timeline, budget, and city agency and community group partnerships formed in order to move forward in this project. The team then presented the site location, historic significance, site adjacencies, and existing conditions for the park and clubhouse programs. Through their community engagement process, they presented a survey of the demographics that used the playground and shared about their preference of playground features. Community feedback showed that there was a majority that favored large spaces and a renovated clubhouse. The team provided three preliminary design options, favoring the one with the largest surface bridge over the below playground area. This open space layout would have courts on top and youth and tot play at the lower level. The art program proposed with the project would be the hanging lanterns, retrofitted pagoda, and commemorative tile wall. Lastly, the team showed perspectives of the planned playground, along with concept designs for the renovation of the clubhouse.
   
   The Committee voiced their concern of the lack of light and sun access due to the large bridge portion that would cover the tot playground underneath. They suggested putting a larger aperture within the bridge and finding a balance that would allow the courts to still fit in that portion of the bridge. The Committee asked that the team also present the renderings with the fences that were to be put up on these spaces, as the fences would impact the design and public sense of space. Finally, the Committee and team discussed how this would be an opportunity to create a public space that does not culturally pander or act kitschy, but to do something modern that also pays homage to the cultural heritage in the area. The team was asked to come to an informal prior to review of phase #1.
   
   There was no public comment.
    
7. SFO Consolidated Administration Campus: Phase #1
   Jeff Till & Mark Cavagnero, Project Designers, Perkins+Will | Mark Cavagnero Assoicates Joint Venture
   Rick Thall, Project Manager, SFO
   Sarah Rege, Architect, Perkins+Will | Mark Cavagnero Assoicates Joint Venture
   Gary Strang, Landscape Architect, GLS Landscape
   
   The design team presented the updated design for the building, showcasing a more reduced and simplified structure and graining verticals on the building exterior that greater unified the stairwell and entrance hall to the rest of the facility. The team provided details of the elevation, showing cross sections and insulation and daylight redirecting/ shading of a typical module and pop out of the building. It was stated that there would be nine pop outs in total, with three pop outs per floor. Landscape design was not planned yet, but stated to come in for future review.
   
   The Committee commented that the grey band on the top of the building seemed to dilute the form. Because the stairwell tower intersects the top grey band, it appeared to highlight the band even more. The Committee also commented that the entrance needed to be reworked, as the surrounding muscular geometry caused the door to be diminutive in experience. The Committee was interested in seeing examples of the painted staircase and their appearance seen through the glass. They looked forward to the future landscape proposal that could work beautifully off the white wall.
   
   There was no public comment, and the motion was unanimously approved as follows.
   
   Motion to approve Phase 1 of the SFO Consolidated Administration Campus Project contingent upon: 1) anticipating the arrival of the pedestrian bridge; 2) revisiting the design of the entry and making it more unique; 3) investigating the issue of the one-story window below the two-story space; 4) investigating the potential of a continuous skylight for the entry hall; and 5) considering another solution for the grey band at the roof of the building.

    

8.  SFO Building 624: Phase #2
   Gary Brandau and Ryan Kuss, Project Managers, SFO
   Joyce Chow, Architect, Joseph Chow & Associates, Inc.
   Cathy L. Merrill, Landscape Architect, Merrill Morris Partners
   
   The design team discussed the project, presenting updates from their last review, including a new landscape plan with a consolidated proposal of plants, adjustment of portals and set back entry, and new exterior elevations with straightened angles and signage alignment. They showed the new schematic floor plan, concept design elevations, and renderings of the landside and airside perspectives.
   
   The Committee was pleased that the team addressed all the comments they provided in their last review. The Committee had no other comments on the project.
   
   There was no public comment, and the motion was unanimously approved as follows.
   
   Motion to approve Phase #2 of the SFO Building 624 Project.
    
9.   Central Shops Replacement Facilities (Selby-Galvez Site): Phase #1
   Terri Emery, Project Designer and Architect, FME Architecture + Design
   Patricia Solis, Project Manager, Public Works
   Meghen Quinn, Landscape Architect, Quinn Landscape Architects
   
   The design team discussed the project, presenting the proposed landscape plan and details, floor plan, design inspiration, proposed design for the building, and perspectives from ground level and freeway. The team researched several options of construction, including steel frame and metal, casting on site, or an off-site precast panel system. They chose the last option as it was most cost effective and would save a month of construction time. Unfortunately this option would not allow for as much form or texture. The team shared that they were exploring super graphics with paint and windows without a set pattern to capture attention and due to its proximity to the highway. Because they wanted the building to have a more neutral appeal, they changed the color from red to an ochre color.
   
   The Committee discussed the curved roof line, and suggested keeping the whole roof horizontal and using that part of the budget for the lower level where there would be more interaction with users. The Committee asked the team investigate some elegant and handsome panel studies, and suggested using more minimal design moves. Lastly, they commented that the ochre color of the panels was not the most attractive and to investigate other color options, along with researching paint sealant to deter vandalism.
   
   There was no public comment, and the motion was unanimously approved as follows.
   
   Motion to approve Phase 1 of the Central Shops Replacement Facilities (Selby-Galvez Site) Project contingent upon: 1) considering eliminating the cant of the roof plane, and keeping all the windows aligned horizontally; 2) focusing more resources on the design of the lower floor; 3) simplifying the design; 4) using patterns for the concrete panels; and 5) investigating integral color with a sealer.
    
10. Van Ness Avenue Bus Rapid Transit Project: Phase #3
    Konstantin Zlatev, Project Designer, Public Works
    Peter Gabancho, Project Manager, SFMTA
    Will Kwan, Architect, Public Works
    Martha Ketterer, Landscape Architect, Public Works
    
    The design team presented the project by taking the Committee and the public in the audience to the outdoor locations that exhibited the mock-ups of the bus railing structures.
    
    The design team and Committee left the room at4:15pm and returned at 4:42pm.
    
    The Committee’s main concern was to have the railing structure be as valiant and durable as possible within the urban environment. Vandalism, graffiti, and maintenance were high concerns during the discussion, which brought up different considerations of material, use of paint, and paint color and type on the rails. The LED fixtures and their accessibility underneath the top of the railing were also a concern for wear and tear, and the Committee suggested several options including adding a layer of plexi-glass and checking the warranty of such materials.
    
    There was no public comment, and the motion was unanimously approved as follows.
    
    Motion to approve Phase 3 of the Van Ness Avenue Bus Rapid Transit Project contingent upon: 1) increasing thin sections of rail by a half inch; 2) using material other than ungalvanized or non-stainless steel; 3) making the light fixtures located under the top of the railing vandal-proof or easily replaceable; and 4) using the color dark grey, reference number 038/91098 without metallic for the rail structure.
     
11. UCSF Platform Modifications Project: Conceptual Review
    Konstantin Zlatev, Project Designer, Public Works
    Cathal Hennessy, Project Manager, SFMTA
    Will Kwan, Architect, Public Works
    
    The design team presented the plan of the new “T” MUNI line and showcased the proposed UCSF Mission Bay train platform. Currently the existing site had two platforms on either side of traffic. The new proposed platform would have one long structure in the middle of the road. The platform would take up two thirds of the street between South Street and 16^th Street. The team displayed the elevation and plans of the platform, indicating the existing public art to be retained and the accompanying furnishing on the platform, such as the lights, information panel, wind screens, and CCTV camera. They concluded with perspective views of the platform project.
    
    The Committee suggested that the design team have a meeting or charrette with architects of the Chase Center and Department of Public Works to workshop the design to make it more unique. They wanted the team to keep the concept of “urban design consistency,” but find a way to make it more attractive.
    
    There was no public comment.
     
12. Staff Report
    Jill Manton, SFAC staff, asked that Commissioners consider standardizing a time for informal meetings. The options that she suggested was either a time during the day of the Full Commission meeting or the Monday after the Civic Design Review meeting.
    
    Jill also wanted to take the time out to thank and applaud Commissioner Cass Calder-Smith for his commitment to design excellence, dedication to his role as Civic Design Review Chair, and his great ability to build agency relationships. 

     

13. Adjournment 
    There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:43 p.m.
    posted 7/29/16, 4:30 p.m., akl
    approved 8/1/16
    
     

    Language Accessibility

    Translated written materials and interpretation services are available to you at no cost. For assistance, please notify Director of Special Projects and Civic Design Review Program Manager Jill Manton, 415-252-2226, jill.manton@sfgov.org.

    我們將為閣下提供免費的書面翻譯資料和口譯服務。如需協助，Director of Special Projects and Civic Design Review Program Manager Jill Manton, 415-252-2226, jill.manton@sfgov.org.

    Materiales traducidos y servicios de interpretación están disponibles para usted de manera gratuita. Para asistencia, notifique a Director of Special Projects and Civic Design Review Program Manager Jill Manton, 415-252-2226, jill.manton@sfgov.org.

    Ang mga materyales na nakasalin sa ibang wika at ang mga serbisyong tagapagsalin sa wika ay walang bayad. Para sa tulong, maaring i-contact si Director of Special Projects and Civic Design Review Program Manager Jill Manton, 415-252-2226, jill.manton@sfgov.org.