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

Monday, September 17, 2018
2:00 p.m.
401 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 125

Minutes

 

Commissioner Kimberlee Stryker called the meeting to order at 2:06 p.m.

1. Roll Call
   Commissioners Present
   Kimberlee Stryker
   Abby Schnair
   Paul Woolford
   Dorka Keehn
   Lydia So
   
   
   Commissioners Absent
   N/A
   
   
   Staff Present
   Aleta Lee, Program Associate, Public Art Trust and Special Initiatives
   Jill Manton, Director, Public Art Trust and Special Initiatives
   Rebekah Krell, Arts Commission Deputy Director
    
2. Public Comment
   N/A
    
3. Terminal 2 (T2) Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) Demolition & Office Tower Modifications (Buildback) Project: Phase #2 and Phase #3
   Carsten Vocker and Doug Davis, Project Designers, Woods Bagot/ AE3 Joint Venture
   Derrick Homer, Project Manager, SFO
   Doug Davis, Architect, AE3 Partners
   
   The team presented their updates to the project, which included the determined material palette, previous and proposed views, building sections and details, building elevations, and building materials. Additionally, the team brought material samples, including wood aluminum, stucco, and glass samples. Updates to the design included selecting the dark grey stucco as the main color of the building, choosing a light grey stucco color for the bottom of the building that matched the adjacent building, raising the height of the wood veneer wall, and remassing the building to integrate the L-shaped window slot.
   
   The Committee thought the team addressed all their comments provided during their informal. The Committee had some questions regarding the reflectivity of the back painted glass in the vertical slot. The team shared they had picked premium level glass and that the reflectivity would match that of the windows above and below it. The Committee also expressed concern over the noise level in the open outlook area. The team stated that the closest aircraft would be 150 feet away and, according to their Acoustics team, high noise level from the aircrafts would not be a concern. The motion was unanimously approved.
   
   Motion to approve Phase #2 and Phase #3 of the Terminal 2 (T2) Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) Demolition & Office Tower Modifications (Buildback) Project.
    
4. Gilman Greenhouse Project: Phase #1 and Phase #2
   David Rosenstein, Project Designer, BlueHouse
   Marien Coss, Project Manager, Rec & Park
   Carl Welty, Architect, BlueHouse
   
   Ms. Marien Coss of Rec & Park provided the background on the project, along with her work with Bluehouse and Hunters Point Family organization to integrate a proposed greenhouse next to the Hunters Point clubhouse at Gilman Playground. This greenhouse would have an aquaponics system and would serve as a training facility and provide food and produce for the community. Ms. Coss went on to present the project site, site photos, and elevations and renderings of the greenhouse integrated into the site. She also noted that the design of the greenhouse had already be developed prior to this project, and BlueHouse had shared this design with them in integrating it into the specified site. The building design was determined by the set aquaponic system within, and alteration of the dimensions or design would affect the aquaponics system’s functions. Ms. Coss explained that a lot of the moving parts to design this project have been pro-bono, along with the architectural team based in Los Angeles, have made it challenging to get materials together for this review. However, because of the team and community’s desire to initiate the project by September of next year, she felt the need to bring it to Civic Design Review now.
   
   The Committee thought this was a wonderful project that they all are in support of and endorse. However, they thought that it would be easier for the team to manage to project if they had a local architect working on the ground with them. The Committee suggested looking up the One Percent Solution where architectural firms pledge one percent of billable hours towards pro-bono work to help with projects such as this. The Committee felt that the “cart was coming before the horse,” and that the pre-designed greenhouse needed to be better contextualized in the space it would hold at the park. The Committee suggested taking a closer look at the site, including how the function of the building might drive what appropriate materials would be used to construct it. The Committee asked that the project team come back when a more complete presentation for review. The motion was not voted on.
   
   
   As the team presenting the the Reinventing Cities project had not yet arrived to the public meeting, the Committee switched items 5 and 6 so the JCDecaux Public Restrooms & Kiosks Project could present first.
   
   Commissioner Lydia So recused herself from the next item as her spouse works for the design firm affiliated with the JCDecaux Public Restrooms & Kiosks Project.
    
5. JCDecaux Public Restrooms & Kiosks Project: Phase #1 and Phase #2
   Francois Nion, Project Designer, JCDecaux
   Architect, Smithgroup JJR
   
   The team presented their updated design based on the comments received from the joint meeting of Civic Design Review and Historic Preservation Committee. They provided samples of the materials, including option samples of the stainless steel stamped patterns and sample preforated sheet metal. The team shared that they deleted the planter roof on the restrooms, and showed the updated design of the roof elevation. The roof would be a fiberglass structure with an added skylight at the top. The team moved on to show the updated designs of the kiosks. The team presented the footprint and functions of the four design approaches of the new kiosks, which included small 3-sided panel kiosks, Market Street 3-sided panel kiosks, interactive kiosks, and multi-function/retail kiosks. Lastly the project team provided renderings of the new bathrooms and kiosks in varying locations in the city.
   
   The Committee preferred option #1 of the stainless steel stamped pattern, and urged the team to find alternatives if the option #1 did not work. Additionally, they ask that the team redesign the small kiosk in order that it be more aligned with the design family of the other kiosks. The small kiosk design was very flat in comparison to the other kiosks, and the Committee felt it was too similar to the previous design. The Committee rescinded the past approved motions from the previous design reviews, and the new Phase #1 and Phase #2 motion was unanimously approved with the following contingencies.
   
   Motion to rescind Resolution No. 1002-17-282, which approved Phase #1 of the former design of the JCDecaux Public Restrooms & Kiosks Project.
   
   Motion to rescind Resolution No. 1002-17-285, which approved Phase 2 of the former design of the JCDecaux Public Restrooms and Kiosks Project contingent upon addressing the bottom bump-out so that it may be uniform on all three sides and as flush as possible.
    
   Motion to approve Phase #1 and Phase #2 of the JCDecaux Public Restrooms & Kiosks Project contingent upon 1) aligning the small kiosks design to be in the same design family as the other kiosks and 2) providing alternative stamped stainless steel patterns, if the preferred option #1 is not a viable option.
   
   Commissioner Lydia So return to the meeting at 3:58pm.
    
6. Reinventing Cities Project: Informational Review
   Eden Brukman, Program Manager, SF Department of the Environment
   
   Ms. Eden Brukman of the San Francisco Department of the Environment presented the Reinventing Cities project, a multi-agency project spearheaded by the Mayor’s office. The project came about through the C40 initiative, founded by the Mayor of London to bring cities together to decarbonize urban development and find innovative solutions for climate. Ms. Brukman went on to provide the example of the City of Paris and their competition for innovative urban projects called reinventer.paris. Sample proposal projects included an old rail station transformed into a wood tower where farm producers and consumers meet, old warehouses transformed as an zero carbon neighborhood, and an urban farm with a training center and housing for the homeless. She described sites that different cities have offered to this project, including empty plots, existing buildings, and iconic sites. The competitions include ten climate challenges that project teams are required to address. Following this background information, Ms. Brukman presented on the two San Francisco sites that have been selected, Hallidie Plaza and 155/165 Grove Street with 240 Van Ness Avenue. Currently, finalists have been chosen for each site and they will be attending an orientation to better familiarize themselves with the opportunity and come up with a more defined final proposal.
   
   The Committee was curious to know what organizations received outreach in applying for this competition. Ms. Brukman explained that they reached out to ASLA, SF Beautiful, Impact Hub and other non-architecture groups that could create innovative proposals rather than typical building structures. The Committee suggested reaching out to Cities for Forests as well as the UC Berkeley Architectural Department for students to be a part of the jury process. The Committee also asked about the finalists, and Ms. Brukman stated that she would share the teams selected the following week when the information goes public.
    
7. Visual Arts Committee Update
   Commissioner Dorka Keehn showcased the finalists for the Mint Plaza Public Art opportunity. As part of the 1% for art program, the developer chose to put the money into the Public Art Trust and the Art Commission will be involved with the facilitation of the artist competition. The developer expressed an interest in an artwork that brought light into the plaza area.
   
   Commissioner Keehn went on to present the art proposal by artist Sarah Sze at the 1500 Mission Street atrium lobby. Lastly, she presented the new artworks to be installed at SFO by artists Jacob Hashimoto, Liz Glynn, Leonardo Drew, and Andy Vogt.
8. Staff Report
   Ms. Jill Manton shared that this will be her last meeting in her role managing Civic Design Review which she has done for the past five years. She expressed her respect, admiration, and affection to the Committee, along with her good fortune in having this experience. She has been consistently impressed with the dedication, passion, intellectual rigor, and design aesthetic of the Committee. Ms. Jill Manton will remain at the Arts Commission where she will focus on special initiatives for the agency. She will also be available during this time of transition to work with Ms. Rebekah Krell, who will take over her role. Lastly, Ms. Jill wanted to thank Commissioner Kimberlee Stryker for her dedication and leadership as Committee Chair.
   
   Commissioner Kimberlee Stryker thanked Jill for all her hard work, artistic perspective, and humor. She is excited that Rebekah will be coming on board and looks forward to working with her.
   
   Commissioner Abby Schnair shared that she enjoyed working with Jill and applauded her professionalism and work in the arts. She is so thrilled that Jill will be able to continue working on projects that are so meaningful to her. Commissioner Schnair also welcomed Rebekah to the Committee.
    
9. New Business and Announcements
   The Committee discussed a later meeting start time of 3pm and curtailing the amount of informals granted per project. Commissioner Paul Woolford suggested implementing a later start time at 3pm. However, due to the seasonal influx of projects, it was decided that the meeting time would be determined depending on the size of the agenda. Furthermore, the Committee decided that informals would be limited to one per project, unless the Committee initiated additional informals.
    
10. Adjournment 
    There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:16 p.m.
    posted  9/28/18, 5:10 p.m., akl
    approved 11/5/18
     

Language Accessibility

Translated written materials and interpretation services are available to you at no cost. For assistance, please notify Special Projects and Civic Design Review Program Associate Aleta Lee, 415-252-2251, aleta.lee@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，Special Projects and Civic Design Review Program Associate Aleta Lee, 415-252-2251, aleta.lee@sfgov.org.

Materiales traducidos y servicios de interpretación están disponibles para usted de manera gratuita. Para asistencia, notifique a Special Projects and Civic Design Review Program Associate Aleta Lee, 415-252-2251, aleta.lee@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 Special Projects and Civic Design Review Program Associate Aleta Lee, 415-252-2251, aleta.lee@sfgov.org.