MEETING OF THE CIVIC DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE
OF THE SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION

Monday, July 17, 2017
2:00 p.m.
401 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 125

Minutes

Committee Chair Kimberlee Stryker called the meeting to order at 2:05 p.m.

1. Roll Call
   Commissioners Present
   Kimberlee Stryker, Chair
   Dorka Keehn
   Lydia So
   Abby Sadin Schnair
   Paul Woolford
   
   
   Commissioners Absent
   n/a
   
   
   Staff Present
   Tom DeCaigny, Director of Cultural Affairs
   Aleta Lee, Program Associate, Public Art Trust and Special Initiatives
   Mary Chou, Project Manager, Public Art
   Zoe Taleporos, Project Manager, Public Art
    
2. Public Comment
   There was no public comment. 
    
3. Consent Calendar
   1. Motion to approve Phase #2 of the SFO AirTrain Extension and Improvements Project.
       
   2. Motion to approve Phase #1 of the Tad’s Steak House Project.
       
4. Garfield Pool & Clubhouse Project: Phase #1
   Toks Ajike, Project Manager, Rec & Park
   Paulett Taggart, Architect, Paulett Taggart Architects | TEF Design JV
   Lizzy Hirsch, Landscape Architect, Public Works
   
   The design team presented updates to the project, showing the existing site plan and proposed site plan which replaced the sport court with a courtyard, added a structure to link the clubhouse and natatorium, added a basketball court at the exterior of the clubhouse, and reorganized the hardscape of the site. The team then presented renderings of the proposed design, including the building entry, courtyard, and exterior elevations. The team shared that the public art opportunity for the site would be at the upper, middle section of the glazed window of the natatorium. Lastly they presented an exterior color and materials palette and planting palette.
   
   The Committee’s main concerns related to the safety of visitors and the user experience of the new design. In order to promote safety, they asked that the team address more lighting throughout the varying hardscapes of the sight. As for user experience, the Committee asked the project team to address solutions for the glare of the sun in the natatorium. As there are multiple art elements within the site, such as the pre-existing murals and the incoming public artwork, the Committee recommended the team consider the color coordination between these varying features of the project.
   
   There was no further public comment.
   
   Motion to approve Phase #1 of the Garfield Pool and Clubhouse Project contingent upon: 1) the coordination of colors between the existing mural, wall Trespa panels, and public art opportunity, 2) addressing issues of sunlight and glare with the suggested public art opportunity, 3) addressing the lighting plan for increased safety, and 4) conducting studies on fence options to make the fence  less cage-like.
    
5. Golden Gate Park Tennis Center Project: Phase #1
   Phoebe Schenker, Project Designer and Architect, EHDD
   Anne Baskerville, Project Manager, Rec & Park
   Ron Lutsko, Landscape Architect, Lutsko Associates
   
   
   The design team presented the project, showcasing the new developments of the design through sections, clubhouse diagrams and floor plan, and renderings of clubhouse elevations. The clubhouse will serve as the gateway to the site, with the central spine of the building acting as an exhibition space to showcase the history of tennis. The façade of the clubhouse facing the courts would be made mostly of glass for users to have views of the court field. They provided a material palette, which included clay walls, metal roof, wood ceilings, and frit glass. Lastly, they presented their sustainability strategy and potential locations for the public art opportunity. Possible options include interpretive art at historic steps, art on gates, and art on tennis walls.
   
   The Committee expressed their concern that their design did not translate from their conceptual phase. The Committee was drawn to the lightness and organic folding planes of the team’s last review. However, they felt the current design felt utilitarian and very standard. The asked the team to reconsider the exterior skin and reimagine how to use average materials to create a more poetic design. The Committee understood that the team was adhering to a budget, but asked that they be creative within the constraints and boundary of material costs. They asked that the team return for an informal meeting, and there was no motion.
   
   There was no further public comment.
    
6. Southeast Water Pollution Control Plant New Headworks Facility Project: Phase #2
   Casey Hagerman, Project Designer, MWA Architects
   Jignesh Desai, Project Manager, SFPUC
   Chad Sanderson, Architect, MWA Architects
   Lizzy Hirsch, Landscape Architect, Public Works
   
   The design team presented the design progression of the Headworks project, reviewing the new design moves for each building of the facility. For the electrical building, they removed the windows on the left side of the building and extended the windows of the stairway shaft. For the Screen Handling Building, they consolidated he windows to have larger fenestration cutouts. For the Grit Handling Building, the team consolidated the windows, used mesh screen to cover the two stairs on the street side façade, and wrapped the corner with zinc. Lastly, the team presented the transition between the public artwork and the architecture of the Evans Avenue wall. Showing several studies, they felt framing the artwork with flush edges to the wall would be best.  
   
   The Committee thought the project team did a fabulous job in simplifying the architecture, while adding strong and bold moves to the design. The one comment they had about the architecture was the zinc corner of the Grit Handling Building. They asked the team to consider how to combine the zinc and mesh of the façade into one move to make it more holistic. The Committee was also not convinced of the transition between the artwork and wall, and they ask the team to revisit the way they cohabitate. Lastly, the team questioned the high maintenance of their grass choice, and asked that the team consider another plant choice.
   
   There was no further public comment.
   
   Motion to approve Phase #2 of the Southeast Water Pollution Control Plant New Headworks Facility Project contingent upon: 1) addressing the integration between the public artwork and the architecture of the façade, 2) selecting a different ground planting that requires less maintenance, and 3) finding an architectural resolution to the zinc wrap of the Grit Handling Building.
    
7. Willie Woo Woo Wong Playground Project: Phase #2
   Cara Ruppert, Project Manager, Rec & Park
   Frank Merritt, Architect, Jensen Architects
   Willett Moss, Landscape Architect, CMG
   
   The design team presented the updated developments of the project, which included refining the roof aperture and bridge resulting in increased square footage of the fitness area, simplifying the fence heights and variation on the site, and defining the pagoda at the top of the stairs as a way finder. The team then presented the landscape palette and developments of the play structure and playground equipment. To review updates on the clubhouse, the design team presented the floor plan, section, elevations, and renderings of the interior and exterior of the clubhouse. The team shared that the entrance from Waverly Street would maintain the existing wall, but would add a new window system and entry door. Artist Julie Chang was selected to work on the public art opportunity on the project.
   
   The Committee applauded the team for the improvements made and their strong design development presentation, expressing that their problem solving refined their project. The asked the team to be aware of the color choice of the play surface area and to bring samples to their next project review.
   
   There was no further public comment.
   
   Motion to approve Phase #2 of the Willie Woo Woo Wong Playground Project.
   
    
8. Margaret Hayward Playground Renovation Project: Phase #1
   Lizzy Hirsch, Project Designer and Landscape Architect, Public Works
   Jake Gilchrist / Marien Coss, Project Manager, Rec & Park
   Paul DeFreitas, Architect, Public Works
   
   The design team presented development updates of the project, providing a site plan, renderings, and details of refinement. In order to create cohesion between Margaret Hayward Playground and Jefferson Square Park, the team introduced a low steeping pathway which referenced the pathways of the neighboring park. They presented studies on various fence entrance options, introduced genderless bathrooms, and described programmatic areas of the site, such as a stage and multipurpose area.
   
   The Committee praised the team for their great work on the project, especially seeing the development from previous designs. The asked the team to consider ways of making the entry points more welcoming, to continue developing the fencing, and to show the site topographically for more clarity in the following presentation.
   
   There was no further public comment.
   
   Motion to approve Phase #1 of the Margaret Hayward Playground Renovation Project contingent upon: 1) making the entry points more inviting and ceremonial, 2) continuing the datum line from the clubhouse to the bathroom, 3) developing the fencing, and 4) adding sidelight glazing on the entry doors of the restroom.
    
9. SFO Airport Hotel Project: Phase #2
   Mark Horrnberger, Project Designer and Architect, HWI Architects
   Sarah Garcia, Project Manager, SFO
   Cliff Lowe, Landscape Architect, Cliff Lowe Associates
   
   The design team presented the updates to their project, showing the developed design of each elevation through renderings and a 3D view of the structure. Because of value engineering, the team shared that some key design elements would need to be altered, including the architectural brow at the top of the hotel and the canopy at ground level. As an alternative, they tried to attach a smaller brow, but said it looked distracting and are hoping to get funding for a larger brow. Furthermore, the canopy would now only have one layer of glass. The team was considering either using a translucent glass, a fritted glass, or solid aluminum for the canopy structure. As for landscaping, the project team presented a site diagram, site planting plan, sections, and a planting palette. The team then presented the sites located for public art opportunities, including the level 4 lobby, the level 1 lobby, and the exterior of the plaza. Lastly, they went over the graphics and signage to be used for the structure.
   
   The Committee endorsed the use of the translucent glass for the canopy. They asked that the team put money into bringing back the sedum roof, and requested samples of color and materials described in the presentation. Lastly, the Committee recommended some landscaping alterations, including a tighter grid of trees and alternative trees at the front of the building.
   
   There was no further public comment.
   
   Motion to approve Phase 2 of the SFO Airport Hotel Project contingent upon: 1) tightening the grid of trees at the north end of the building, 2) restoring the sedum roof, 3) adding two more fastigiate oak trees to the front edge of the building, and 4) using translucent glass for the canopy.
   
    
10. Visual Arts Committee Update
    
    Commissioner Dorka Keehn updated the Committee on the artist selected for the public artwork opportunity at the level 4 lobby of the SFO Airport Hotel. The artist selected is Jacob Hashimoto, who works with rice paper and resin, and will create a hanging artwork.
     
11. Staff Report
    n/a
     
12. New Business and Announcements
    n/a 
     
13. Adjournment 
    There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:38 p.m.
    posted 6/30/17, 5:25 p.m., akl
    approved 8/7/17

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.

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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.