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

Monday, May 21, 2018
2:00 p.m.
401 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 125

Minutes

Commissioner Lydia So called the meeting to order at 2:06 p.m.

1. Roll Call
   Commissioners Present
   Dorka Keehn
   Abby Schnair
   Lydia So
   Paul Woolford
   
   Commissioners Absent
   Kimberlee Stryker
   
   Staff Present
   Aleta Lee, Program Associate, Public Art Trust and Special Initiatives
   Tom DeCaigny, Director of Cultural Affairs
   Zoe Taleporos, Project Manager, Public Art
2. Public Comment
   N/A
    
3. AirTrain Extension and Improvements Lot DD Station Project: Phase #3
   Robin Chiang, Project Designer and Architect, Design By the Bay
   Tony Breslin, Project Manager, SFO
   
   The team presented the project, sharing the updated design of the AirTrain Lot DD station. The team shared that they resolved the curtain wall at the north side of the station by integrating three panel windows at the end. Furthermore, they shared that the curtain wall would have a frit pattern in the glazing unit, which would start opaque at the top and gradually become translucent to the bottom. A band of louvers was also integrated throughout the curtain wall. Lastly, the team showcased the new smoke vents that were added to the roof of the station. The team ended their presentation with a material palette and construction drawings.
   
   The Committee asked what was the skylight quality and translucency of the new smoke vents. The team shared that they were translucent and daylight would be able to go through them and into the station. The motion was unanimously approved. 
   
   There was no further public comment.
   
   Motion to approve Phase #3 of the AirTrain Extension and Improvements Lot DD Station Project.
    
4. Terminal 2 (T2) Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) Demolition & Office Tower Modifications (Buildback) Project: Phase #2
   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 the project updates, proposing a darker color material to highlight the building massing within the Terminal 2 light silver color context and to have the building stand out. Additionally, the roof profile was revised to a thin painted metal edge to highlight the anchor massing at each end of the building where public visibility is the highest. The team brought materials to showcase during the meeting, including glass and color samples.
   
   The Committee commented that in their last review they had asked the team to have the building fit in to the context of the adjacent buildings, and not to stand out.They felt that team needed to have a more wholistic approach to the design of the building. They shared that it felt like the building was more of a series of pieces that were placed next to one another, rather than a purposeful and organized move. The Committee urged the team to look at different options of materials, how the material and design relate to the overall language of the airport, and how the structure responds environmentally. The motion was not approved.
   
   ​There was no further public comment.
   
   Commissioner Abby Schnair arrived at 3:00pm.
    
5. Margaret Hayward Playground Renovation Project: Phase #3
   Paul De Freitas, Project Designer, Public Works
   Marien Coss, Project Manager, SF Rec and Park
   Gabriel Meil, Landscape Architect, Public Works
   
   The team presented the updates to the design of their project, given feedback from the Rec and Park Department and their past Civic Design Review. The major update included closing off the alcove driveway on Golden Gate Avenue and creating a service yard for the community building. This new design would have a parallel concrete screen wall from the building, along with a sliding vehicular gate system. The material of the gate system would be similar to the fencing but not be see through for security purposes. Additionally, the team provided a sample to show the materiality and color of this proposed gate.  Minor changes included increasing the storage unit inside the community building by ten feet, completely tiling the recess of the water fountain area as suggested in the last review, and making the concrete bench across the water fountain more shallow to prevent people from lying down.
   
   The Committee thought the shallow concrete bench was an awkward solution. They preferred that the design team leave the bench its orginal size or completely get rid of it. For the new service yard, the Committee suggested the team add a concrete wall extension from the community building and raising the heights of both walls to the datum line of the building. The Committee asked that the team provide an updated landscape plan and any updates on Margaret Hayward and James P. Lang stories for possible integration to the park to the Art Commission Civic Design Review staff. The motion was unanimously approved with the following contingencies.
   
   ​There was no further public comment.
   
   Motion to approve Phase #3 of the Margaret Hayward Playground Renovation Project contingent upon: 1) extending the restroom benches back to 18” or removing them, 2) updating the front addition Golden Gate Avenue façade with concrete wall extension and raising the heights to match the building’s datum line, 3) sending an updated landscape plan, and 4) sharing these contingency updates for administrative review with Civic Design Review staff and Commission Chair.
    
6. Visual Arts Committee Update
   Commissioner Dorka Keehn presented “Everywhere a Color” by Leah Rosenberg that was recently installed at the international terminal of the SFO airport. She also shared the work of Woody De Othello and Dana Hemingway, both which will also have their work installed at the SFO airport.
7. Staff Report
   Director of Cultural Affairs, Tom Decaigny reminding the Committee that the joint Historical Preservation and Civic Design Review Committees would occur on July 18^th at noon in City Hall. Additionally, he reminded the Committee that the Full Commission and staff retreat would be held on June 4^th which would discuss planning a two year strategic plan module that would align with the two year budget process as well as upcoming transitions in leadership for the city.  
    
8. New Business and Announcements
   N/A
    
9. Adjournment 
   There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:58 p.m.
   posted  6/1/18, 6:10 p.m., akl
   updated 6/6/18 akl
   updated 6/26/18 akl
   approved 7/9/18