San Francisco General Hospital Rebuild Project—Phase 1
Ron Almeida, DPW Project Manager, explained that the hospital is on a state-mandated deadline to replace the existing facility with a seismically safe building by 2013. He said that while they have applied for an extension, it is necessary to proceed on schedule. He introduced Paulo Diaz, Project Manager, Fong and Chan Architects.
Mr. Diaz gave an overview of the new hospital. He explained that the current hospital campus has several brick buildings along Potrero Avenue. The new building will also be brick, yet have a variation in its architectural style. The building being replaced is a not seismically compliant concrete structure and will be used for other programming but not for patient services.
Commissioner Przyblyski asked if the parking lot was going to be moved in a later phase of the master plan.
Mr. Diaz replied that there are currently no plans to significantly alter the parking lot.
Mr. Diaz explained that the new public and emergency entrances will be off 23rd Street. Because there is no entrance on the front of the building, there will be a landscaped walkway from Potrero Ave along the side of the building to the main entrance. Mr. Diaz explained that there will be three connections between the existing building and the new building. The new structure will be nine stories with two basement floors, 442,000 square feet, and have 284 beds, which is a net increase of 100 beds for the hospital. The seismic accommodations include a base-isolated foundation system to keep the facility fully operational during and after an earthquake. Mr. Diaz explained that details of the façade and exterior elements like photovoltaic sun shields are still being determined.
Commissioner Przyblyski opened the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Przyblyski closed the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Przyblyski said that she appreciated the presentation early in the design process and hoped to have a productive discussion at this meeting, but in order for the Committee to approve phase one, they need to see massing from all elevations and street level views.
Mr. Diaz said that the design team will bring elevations of each side of the building and street level views to the next meeting.
Commissioner Kriken asked about the bottom 10 feet of the building along Potrero Avenue.
Mr. Diaz replied that the brick vertical panels allow for privacy in the recovery rooms.
Commissioner Przyblyski commented that a hospital should be a private place, but it shouldn’t be a fortress. She said that people are going to know San Francisco General Hospital by the Potrero elevation. She continued that it should be open and welcoming, so that when people do need to go to the hospital, they will feel comfortable bringing their families down the side alley to the main entrance.
She strongly urged the architects to begin planning for public art on the Potrero side and to integrate the public art early into the design process.
Commissioner Kriken expressed concern with the positioning of the sunshades and asked to see the pedestrian circulation on the site.
Commissioner Hunter asked about this construction in the context of the master plan for the campus and how the timelines correspond.
Gene O’Connell, CEO of San Francisco General Hospital, agreed that the Potrero face is how the hospital is presented to the community. She explained that every patient bed must have daylight, as must some other rooms. She said that the turnaround on 23rd Street is where the main entrance is and asked the Committee to consider functionality versus aesthetic.
Commissioner Przyblyski commented that with functionality in mind, the front seems awkward as the public view to the world. She reiterated that this is a good place for art enrichment. She complimented the design for maintaining the historical context of the brick structure. She noted that the photovoltaics add to the City’s civic expression of sustainability. She said that as they continue their work, the design team should be looking closely at the ground level.
Commissioner Hunter said that the radial geometry works nicely with the hospital’s iconic brick, although something needs to make a statement about entry on Potrero Ave. He thought that even a symbolic entryway would direct people and give the building a presence on the street. He added that he would be interested in seeing a design that cuts down the corner by the walkway.
Commissioner Przyblyski introduced the new Director of Cultural Affairs, Luis Cancel, to the Committee.
Alameda Siphon No. 4 Project—Chemical Injection Control and Electric Shed Buildings—Phases 1 and 2
Annie Li, PUC Project Manager, gave a brief overview of the Sunol Valley water transmission pipelines. She explained that during an earthquake, the three existing pipelines are expected to rupture, but the new seismically secure pipeline will be able to provide water to San Francisco. She explained that the buildings being reviewed at this meeting house the blending valves and chemical injection machinery for the new pipeline. She then introduced Kent Ford, Project Architect, DPW BOA.
Mr. Ford showed site photographs and explained that although there is an access road, it is unlikely that the public will see these buildings. He added that the buildings will be identical to each other, and he presented the new color scheme.
Commissioner Przyblyski opened the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Przyblyski closed the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Przyblyski said that the Committee would like to see a certain amount of standardization, and these small buildings are a good example.
Commissioner Hunter asked about the security of the buildings.
Ms. Li replied that the main chloramination buildings are gated and protected and these secondary buildings will be locked.
Commissioner Hunter and Commissioner Przyblyski complimented the color selection.
Motion to approve Phases 1 and 2 of the Alameda Siphon No. 4 Project—Chemical Injection Control and Electric Shed Buildings: Commissioner Przyblyski
Second: Commissioner Kriken
Vote: Unanimously approved.
Roselle Crossover Improvements Project—Valve Vault and Generator Building—Phases 1 and 2
Tracy Cael, PUC Project Manager, gave an overview of the Hetch Hetchy system and explained that there are 47.5 miles of pipelines to supply 85% of San Francisco’s water. Ms. Cael introduced Fara Perez, DPW BOA Design Architect.
Ms. Perez introduced the project and explained that the building is located in a rural residential neighborhood. Recently, large suburban homes have been built a few blocks away from the site. The site plan includes a vault which extends 16 feet underground, and a building housing the generator and propane tank.
Ms. Perez explained that the new building will be stucco-covered concrete with metal awnings and painted steel doors. There will be a new asphalt paved driveway, and the existing wooden gate and fence will remain. She said that there are no windows because it is an unstaffed building. There will be a ramp on the back of building and a black vinyl-coated chainlink fence. She added that there is no planned landscaping due to maintenance issues.
Ms. Perez showed the Committee a materials board that displayed the building colors and a sample of the standard PUC chainlink fence.
Commissioner Kriken asked about permeable paving materials.
Kathleen Price, PUC Project Engineer, replied that engineering will look into different paving options and send findings on this to the Civic Design Committee.
Commissioner Kriken said the color should be a more subtle ochre.
The Commissioners agreed that the current yellow contrasts with the surroundings.
Commissioner Przyblyski asked if the PUC was committed to maintaining the existing wooden fence.
Ms. Price said she expected the fence to need little maintenance, but that the PUC would maintain it.
Motion to approve Phases 1 and 2 of the Roselle Crossover Improvements Project—Valve Vault and Generator Buildings: Commissioner Przyblyski
Second: Commissioner Hunter
Vote: Unanimously approved.
