- Bayview Branch Library – Phase 3
Mindy Linetzky, Branch Library Improvement Project, explained that this is part of the bond project to renovate the branch libraries. She introduced Project Architect Kacey Jurgens, THA Architecture.
Ms. Jurgens presented images of the existing library and explained that the building will be replaced and a new lot will be purchased to expand the existing site. The design has been modified from previous review to respond to the Commissioner’s comments. The workroom door could not be moved as requested, but it may become a sliding door to minimize the visual impact. The canopy has been integrated into the design of the main entry which has also been pushed back a few feet. She presented a materials board and an example of graffiti removed from the tile.
Norbert Holter, Design Associate, Suzman & Cole Design Associates presented the landscape plan and explained that there are currently two existing elms that will be replaced.
Ms. Jurgens explained that the Japanese maple is still the number one choice for the courtyard because of its shape and because it will reflect the changing seasons.
Mr. Holter said that the second choice tree is the date palm. He explained that the third option is black bamboo which would have an iconic modernist courtyard feel. In this option, the planting area is smaller.
Commissioner Haryati joined the meeting at 3:23
Commissioner Delaney commented that there may be too many plants for the size of the courtyard. She added that the Japanese Maple will need to be pruned each year.
Mr. Holter agreed that the trees would need annual attention.
Ms. Jurgens explained that they are working to create a sandblasted design into the pavers of the courtyard.
She also responded to the Commissioner’s concerns about the green roof. She said they have reduced the green roof to a small area and there is a two year maintenance agreement to establish the roof. She added that this will keep the important educational aspect around sustainability.
Commissioners Smith and Chow agreed that the architecture looks good.
Commissioner Delaney responded that the spacing of the maples is too close together, and the number of trees should be reduced from three to one.
Commissioner Haryati agreed.
Commissioner Smith responded that the plant choice for the courtyard should be made with the client thinking about maintenance.
Motion to approve Phase 3 of the Bayview Branch Library: Commissioner Chow.
Vote: Unanimously approved.
- Park Merced Boulevard Monument Sign - Phase 1 and 2
Commissioner Chow recused himself from this item for a potential conflict of interest.
Geoff di Girolamo, Surfacedesign, Inc presented the siting of the monument sign for Park Merced and presented site photographs. He explained that the site is very small but there will be planting around the sign that will be irrigated. He presented the design and other existing signage.
Commissioner Delaney commented that the rendering shown has plants from different seasons and the actual planting would never look like the rendering.
Mr. Di Girolamo explained that the grasses will go dormant in the winter.
Commissioner Smith asked about the proportions of the sign compared to the other signs of this type.
Mr. Di Girolamo said that the sight lines made it necessary for the posts to be lower on this sign.
Motion to approve Phase 1 and 2 of the Park Merced Boulevard Monument Sign: Commissioner Delaney
Vote: Unanimously approved.
Commissioner Chow rejoined the meeting.
- Mission Pool and Playground - Phase 1
Meghan Tiernan, Project Manager, Recreation and Park Department explained that the project is currently on an aggressive schedule for completeion. There have been three outreach meetings for the project and the current plan has community support. She explained that the mural will remain intact on the building and untouched. The dense tree planting will be opened up to make the park more inviting from the 19th Street entry and the play area will be renovated. The new design also improves seating and planting including enhancing the Valencia Street entry to the park.
Ms. Manton explained that the project has voluntary art enrichment funds for the design of several fence panels to be installed along Valencia and 19th Streets.
Ms. Tiernan explained that the music room, which had been converted from other uses, will be formalized in the new design with soundproofing and equipment. The restrooms will be relocated to be more accessible from the outside and the director’s office will have better views for surveying the park. A major feature of the renovation will be new glazing to increase the natural light in the space.
Ms. Manton questioned why Art Enrichment is considered voluntary on the project when the scope seems to indicate it would be a mandatory 2% for Public Art per the Public Art Ordinance.
Commissioner Delaney asked how much the 2% Art Enrichment allocation would be.
Ms. Tiernan responded that it would be $98,000.
Commissioner Haryati commented that staff should look into the ordinance, but the amount of Art Enrichment should not be discussed at the Civic Design meeting.
Commissioner Smith asked that staff verify the amount and interpretation of the ordinance for Phase 2 review.
Motion to approve Phase 1of the Mission Pool and Playground: Commissioner Delaney.
Vote: Unanimously approved.
- Groundwater Supply Well Stations: Lake Merced - Phase 1
Jeff Gilman, Project Manager, SFPUC explained that the project team would be presenting agenda items four, five and six, the three Groundwater Supply Well Station prototypes, together.
Mr. Gilman explained that there will be a total of six well stations within San Francisco that are part of the current proposal. The project is currently in design phase and will soon initiate the EIR process which will take two years to complete. The remaining well stations will come to the Committee in spring of 2010. He introduced Paul De Freitas, Architect, DPW BOA and Martha Ketterer, Landscape Architect, DPW BOE.
Mr. DeFreitas grave a brief background on the project and explained that the current water supply for San Francisco comes from outside of the city. This project will use local well water to supplement our existing water. He said that the design idea reflects the process of drawing water from the ground, and the building references a cut, extract and elevated piece of the ground.
He presented the Lake Merced structure and explained that it will only be visible from the jogging path around the lake. The building is in an L shape with two sections distinguished by the material. Once section will be made with board formed concrete and the other with zinc.
Ms. Ketterer explained that the buildings are emerging, bringing water forth from the ground. The buildings themselves have a concrete board finish which is from the earth and the gray metal is an expression of the machinery and technical aspects of the extraction. She explained that the edge of the building would have a planting of beach strawberry.
Mr. DeFreitas said that the overboarding process will send a small amount of water to elements of the design. For Lake Merced, the visual expression of this process is the reflecting pool on the roof. There is also a large water tank on site that can not be screened for security reasons but it will be painted to match the zinc wall.
Ms. Ketter explained that the West Sunset facility will have a green roof to continue the notion of cut and elevated earth. The storm water runoff will go into a recharge chamber that will be placed under the parking lot.
She explained that the South Sunset site is on 40th Avenue and Wawona located on the site of a baseball field. There is an existing retaining wall and a the slope of the site will be terraced.
Mr. DeFreitas explained that this building did not have the zinc structure like the South Sunset and Lake Merced locations due to constraints of the location and use of the site. In this design, the overboarding is expressed in the planting of cattails. The limitations of height, sightlines, and security make it necessary to put a wire scrim around the roof of the building.
Commissioner Smith opened the floor to public comment, seeing none, he closed the floor.
Commissioner Haryati said that she appreciated the simplicity of the building. She also added that the fence should not be chain link.
Commissioner Smith asked about the landscaping and the overboarding at the Lake Merced location.
Paul responded that the Lake Merced site has some unique constraints because of its proximity to the lake. The overboarding happens a few times each day and the reflecting pool will be refilled and flushed each time. The pool will be created from preformed stainless steel.
Ms. Manton responded that the overlook would be a good place for art enrichment.
Commissioner Delaney commented that the signage would need to explain that the roof is intentionally filled with water.
Commissioner Haryati asked about access to the site.
Mr. DeFreitas responded that it is not accessible.
Commissioner Smith commented that the board form on the concrete may need to be vertical or parallel with the roof.
Commissioner Chow asked about the coping material.
Mr. DeFreitas responded that it is stainless steel, but the reflecting pool will need to be dark.
Commissioner Chow said the coping should all be dark. He added that the next step in the design is the detailing. The wall sconce lights look tacked on and all the details should be thought through in terms of artistry. He asked about lighting alternatives.
Mr. DeFreitas responded that the LED strip would illuminate the door and PUC security would not allow pole lighting or uplighting.
Commissioner Chow commented that the concrete apron around the building should be resolved in another way.
Commissioner Delaney commented that there needs to be a maintenance plan for the sites with green roofs. She added that there is a lot of focus on the roof and not on the ground.
Commissioner Smith commented that the West Sunset location could benefit the most from Art Enrichment.
Commissioner Chow added that the zinc portals at South Sunset are looking a bit decorative and should be looked into for Phase 2.
Motion to approve Phase 1 of the Lake Merced Ground Well Station: Commissioner Chow
Vote: Unanimously approved.
- Groundwater Supply Well Stations: South Sunset - Phase 1
Commissioner Smith opened the floor to public comment, seeing none, he closed the floor.
Motion to approve Phase 1 of the West Sunset Ground Well Station: Commissioner Chow
Vote: Unanimously approved.
- Groundwater Supply Well Stations: West Sunset - Phase 1
Commissioner Smith opened the floor to public comment, seeing none, he closed the floor.
Motion to approve Phase 1 of the West Sunset Ground Well Station: Commissioner Chow
Vote: Unanimously approved.
Cayuga Playground - Phase 1
Marvin Yee, Project Manager, Recreation and Park Department, explained that the revised design uses natural materials and colors in an effort to be more compatible with the landscape and the existing artwork per the Commissioner’s comments previously. The comments from the last meeting focused on creating design alternatives to clarify the big ideas, respond to the characteristics of the site, and integrate the landscape and the building.
Mr. Yee explained that the former park gardener, Demetrio Braceros, who created the park and sculptures within it, wasn’t available for consultation on the architecture of the building. The design team looked to his philosophy and style to try to determine how he would approach the project. They concluded that he would emphasize the landscape, create a building that would lead people into the park, sculpt components of the building and/or celebrate light.
Mr. Yee introduced Lizzy Hirsch, Landscape Architect, DPW/BOE, and Richard Gee, Project Architect, DPW/BOA.
Ms. Hirsch presented the landscape design to the site. The design goal is to embrace the spirit of the place, integrate art, culture and nature into the park. She added that they would like to honor Mr. Braceros’ work while making improvements to the site. There is a possibility of creating a reservoir site under the field to improve the drainage and possibly provide water features. One goal of the revised design is to improve the transition from active zone to natural zone. The entry gates are the art enrichment allocation for the project and draw from Mr. Braceros’s aesthetic.
Mr. Gee explained that the building will keep the same floor plan and sections as the previously presented design. He presented several different options for the façade. The design goal is to build a frame to allow light into the building and to create connection to the courtyard and entry space.
Commissioner Smith opened the floor to public comment, seeing none, he closed the floor.
Commissioner Haryati asked about using Mr. Braceros’ artwork around the building.
Mr. Gee replied that they plan to use his artwork in the landscape so it is visible from the interior.
Commissioner Smith commented that they should go further with making the building disappear into the landscape. He suggested adding a little color and making some of the massing thinner.
Commissioner Chow suggesting thinking of R.M. Schindler houses that are simple gestures with discoveries about little places. He suggested using natural materials that will age gracefully and patina.
Commissioner Haryati and Delaney expressed concern for the artwork that is built into the landscape and maintenance of the work.
Commissioner Delaney suggested moving some of the work indoors for longevity.
Mr. Yee responded that they are planning on displaying some of the work inside of the Clubhouse.
Barbara Fugate commented that they will lose a third of the artwork due to the renovation.
Commissioner Smith suggested making the work inside of the clubhouse visible from the outside. He said they should think both architecturally and curatorial together. He commented that the design team should have a workshop before the Phase 2 presentation.
Motion to approve Phase 1 of the Cayuga Playground with the contingency of having a design workshop prior to Phase 2 review: Commissioner Haryati
Vote: Unanimously approved.
- Parkside Branch Library - Administrative Phase 3
Commissioner Smith opened the floor to public comment, seeing none, he closed the floor.
Motion to approve Phase 3 of the Parkside Branch Library: Commissioner Chow
Vote: Unanimously approved.
- New Business: There was no new business.
- Adjournment: 5:55 p.m.
