Civic_Design_Committee
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 CIVIC DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE
Monday, September 15, 2003
3:00 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
Minutes
Commissioners Present: Andrea Cochran, William Meyer, Rod Freebairn-Smith Barbara Stauffacher Solomon
Absent: Stanlee Gatti
Staff Present: Richard Newirth, Nancy Gonchar, Rommel Taylor
Call To Order: 3:05 P.M.
- 525 Golden Gate, Phase 2
Jeffery Heller, Principal, Heller Manus Architects reviewed the information presented at the Civic Design meeting on August 18,2003. He stated that there were three issues expressed by the commission at the last meeting and that the design team had addressed those concerns.
Mr. Heller presented alternative design studies of the roof. He stated that he felt strongly that the curved option was the best solution in terms of form and site context. Mr. Heller explained that they had further developed the design for the base of the building. Three columns that come to grade would now define the main entry. The columns along the perimeter of the building will sit on a green concrete base. Mr. Heller said that the windows on the fa‡ade along Redwood Street had been revised. Per the comments at the last civic design meeting, the windows had been enlarged. The overall color palette will keep with the colors of the surrounding civic buildings.
Commissioner Meyer opened the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Meyer closed the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Cochran stated that she liked the design solution in general and specifically liked the modifications presented as option 1.
Commissioner Stauffacher Solomon stated that the prior scheme with smaller windows openings worked better in contrast to the curtain wall system on the other facades.
Commissioner Freebairn-Smith asked about programming at street level. He stated that there should be some thought as to how the public can physically interact with the visually open fa‡ade. Mr. Freebairn-Smith also asked if security equipment would affect the design at street level.
Mr. Heller stated that the current program for the building does not include provisions for open space at street level. He also stated that any security equipment added would have minimal affect on the design concept.
Commissioner Meyer stated that the overall design idea was fine however he felt that the roof was too dramatic and drew attention to the building. Mr. Meyer agreed with commissioner Cochran that the smaller windows along Redwood Street worked better with the design.
Motion to approve Phase 2 exclusive of roof design.
Motion: Cochran
Vote: Unanimous
Motion to approve roof design as presented in Option 1 contingent upon review and tie breaking vote of commissioner Gatti.
Motion: Cochran
Vote:Unanimous
Yes- Cochran, Freebairn-Smith
No- Meyer, Staffaucher -Solomon
- SOMA Office, Restrooms and Maintenence Building, Phase 1 & 2
Mary Tinken, Project Director, Recreation and Park reviewed the scope of work. The project site is located south of market bounded by Folsom Street, Columbia Square, Harrison Street and Sherman Street. She stated that the project would provide support functions for Recreation and Park staff servicing the adjacent park and ball fields. The existing Bessie Carmichael School is being demolished and rebuilt across the street from the park.
Damon Louie, architectural associate, Recreation and Park presented the design concept. He stated that the building would be approximately 675 square feet and that the program for the building was for restroom facilities, office space and maintenance equipment storage. The design is inspired by the loft architecture surrounding the site. The general material palette consists of concrete, painted stucco, galvanized corrugated metal panels, and sod roof. The material choices reflect the function of the different spaces. The sod roof is being used as a prototype for future Recreation and Park buildings.
Commissioner Meyer opened the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Meyer closed the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Freebairn- Smith asked about the hours of operation for the facility and if there was plan for exterior lighting. Mr. Freebairn- Smith expressed concern about the use of the sod roof. He asked if provisions were made in the design to handle excessive rainwater run off. He stated that the entire building should be looked at in terms of green building concepts not just the roof.
Mr. Louie explained that the park would be closed and fenced at night and only basic security lighting would be provided. He also stated that the drainage system for the sod roof would be able to handle any overflow generated by excessive rain.
Ms. Tinken stated that Recreation and Park has an expert green building consultant on the team.
Commissioner Stauffacher- Solomon commented that she liked the use of corrugated metal and would like to see some studies in color.
Commissioner Cochran commented that the overall design was handsome, however she had concerns about the cost of the roof in terms of installation and mantainence.
Commissioner Meyer stated that he would like to see a stronger color scheme. He commented that the overall design was good. He strongly recommended further research in sod roof systems before final design. If the roof drainage system fails it will leave costly mud stains on the exterior finishes.
Motion to approve Phase 1 & 2
Motion:Staffaucher- Solomon Vote: Unanimous
- Joseph Lee Recreation Center and Playground Renovation, Phase 1
Lena Chen, Project Manager, DPW-BOA reviewed the scope of work for the project. She stated that the renovation became a project as a result of Proposition A, $110 million 10 year General Obligation Bond and Proposition C, a continuation of the Open Space Fund, in order to implement the Recreation and Park Department's $400 million Capital Improvement Plan. Ms. Chen explained that the site is located in the Bayview/Hunters Point neighborhood and is bound by Mendell Street, Oakdale Avenue and Newcomb Avenue. The back of the building is adjacent to an existing San Francisco Unified School district building and parking lot. There are two historically significant murals on the gymnasium and the auditorium. The auditorium is slated for demolition and renovation of the fa‡ade of the gymnasium is proposed. Ms. Chen introduced Gita Dev, Principal, Dev Architects to present the proposed design.
Ms. Dev explained that the proposed design renovates the old gymnasium with a new curved metal roof, larger windows on eastern fa‡ade and new skylights. She explained that the windows were being added for aesthetic reasons and to comply with energy requirements. The new roof form matches the geometry of the glue laminated wood beams of the interior. She explained that the roof was leaking and that the parapet needed to be removed. The mural on the gymnasium will also be removed. She stated that the auditorium will be demolished and a new wall erected at the eastern portion of the site. The mural will be recreated on this wall and will be a backdrop to the site. The rest of the building program will be pushed up against the southern and eastern walls of the gymnasium in an L configuration opening up space along Oakdale Avenue for play areas and green space. A new glass enclosed entry lobby will face Oakdale Avenue.
Commissioner Meyer opened the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Meyer closed the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Freebairn-Smith asked if the community was fully behind the proposed design and destruction of the murals.
Ms. Dev stated that there had been meetings with the community and the artist and that the feedback had been positive.
Commissioner Staffaucher-Solomon stated that the windows along the western fa‡ade of the gymnasium should remain as is.
Commissioner Cochran asked if other design solutions for the gymnasium had been explored that might afford the opportunity to save the murals. She recommended that a waterproofing expert be consulted to develop solutions that would save the existing roof. She commented that the new skylights should provide enough natural light. The fa‡ade along Newcomb Avenue turns its back unto the community and is poor urban design gesture. Ms. Cochran stated that she would like to see the design for the fence along Oakdale Avenue.
Commissioner Freebairn-Smith stated that he would like to see the design of the proposed wall that will have the replication of the auditorium mural.
Commissioner Meyer stated that the basic design was good, particularly the new entry lobby. He commented that the roof for the lobby building was a nice counterpoint to the form of the gymnasium. Mr. Meyer stated that he advocated saving the mural and that waterproofing issue should not drive the decision to reshape the entire gymnasium roof. He also commented that the commission needed to see a drawing of the east elevation.
Ms. Chen explained that the design team had met with the artist three times and he was excited at the possibility of doing a new piece on the renovated gymnasium. She stated that he is also happy that the mural on the auditorium will be replicated on the site in a new location.
Debra Lehane, Civic Art Collection Program Manager, clarified that Dewey Crumpler, the artist, was under the impression that no other options were possible. Regarding the replication of the auditorium mural, Mr. Crumpler will not be repainting it but supervising a small team of artist to create the replica. Ms. Lehane stated that this was an important mural within the community mural movement in general and an important icon to the Bayview/Hunter's Point community specifically.
Mary Tinken explained the political climate behind the renovation of this site. She commented that Mayor's Office of Community Development has a specific task force studying the possibilities of creating a town center in the entire block bounded by Third Street, Lane Street, Oakdale Avenue and Newcomb Ave. Ms. Timken also pointed out the Shelley Bradford Bell, Executive Director, Bayview Opera House was interested in the complete demolition of the recreation center and relocation of the Opera House to the shipyard.
Ms. Chen asked the commission if they could move for an approval with contingencies so that the team can move forward with the design.
Commissioner Cochran stated that the design of the roof is integral to the look of the building and cannot be isolated from the mural issue.
Commissioner Meyer stated that the issue of placing windows along the western fa‡ade is one of setting design priorities. If the waterproofing issue is resolved and there is no need to remove the parapet then the mural can be saved. Skylights will provide more that enough natural light for the space.
Motion to approve demolition of auditorium and general placement of new programatic elements, exclusive of gymnasium design, Phase 1
Motion: Cochran
Vote: Unanimous
- Palace of Fine Arts Lagoon and Park Restoration (PhaseIIA), Informational Presentation
Lena Chen, Project Manager, DPW BOA reviewed the overall scope of the renovation project. She explained that this phase of the project was to restore the lagoon ecosystem and stabilize the lagoon edge conditions. Ms. Chen stated that the office of Royston Hanamoto Alley and Abey Landscape Architects would be the consulting architects on the project.
- Palace of Fine Arts Building Restoration (Phase IIB and III), Phase 1 & 2
Lena Chen, Project Manager, DPW BOA explained that this phase of work focused on the upgrade of the Rotunda, colonnade and Peristyle. She stated that the scope of the project included seismic and accessibility upgrades as well as other code mandated upgrades. Ms. Chen introduced Charles Duncan, architect, Carey & Co. Architects, Inc.
Mr. Duncan explained that the Rotunda would require very minimal seismic work due to its inherently stable form. Most of the work on the Rotunda would focus on repairing the ceiling. The structures that form the colonnade would require more significant work. Mr. Duncan stated that the work done on the colonnade would be completely invisible once completed. The scope of work would also include removing animal deposits, biological growth, paint and graffiti, efflorescence and water staining and repairing of concrete spalls.
Motion to approve phase 1 & 2
Motion:Staffaucher- Solomon
Vote: Unanimous
- New Business
- Adjournment 6:00 P.M
Revision Date: 10/01/03
