HomeMy WebLinkAboutHDC2013-022 Re-Connect And Re-Habilitate 12/09/2013December 9, 2013
RE -Connect
Re -Habilitate
Encouraging revitalization efforts and renewed community involvement, we propose to create a three-
story contemporary building. The first floor is office space and the second and third floors are
apartments.
Using the assets around the site and core principles of growth, sustainability, preservation, and
community, we consider these objectives meet with this design.
The Historic Trust for Historic Preservation, in an issue of Forum Journal, summarized the situation today
with new construction " in the United States, both heritage professionals and advocates tend to defer to
vaguely historically referenced new design when given the prospect of contemporary additions. Best
intentions of the most committed architectural review board aside, in doing so, we rob future
generations of the record of our time, of what was important to us, of how we best built here and now,
particularly in the rich setting of our nations historic districts and neighborhoods."
Our community should not be apprehensive of good contemporary design, particularly when it meets
most of, if not quite all of our own guidelines. Rarely, have infill projects been 100% in compliance with
the guidelines, which are just that�guidelines, subject to interpretation on a case by case basis.
If a rule had been in place in 1881 saying all designs had to have the same roof, the Villa Marie could not
have been built with its Mansard roof, which is the only one in MacArthur Park Historic District.
Exterior Materials
Roofs: Starting in the 181h Century, the use of metals for roofing and roof features included sheet metal,
corrugated metal, galvanized metal, tin-plate, copper, lead and zinc. Roofing reflected the availability of
materials, levels of construction, technology, weather and cost.
Windows: Changes in technology has improved the efficiency, and potential sizes and styles of today's
windows. As stated in the cover letter, we reduced our amount of glass on the east and west due to the
Sun and its effect on mechanical systems and envelope of the building. There are examples of
asymmetrical windows in the District.
Exterior Metal: Architectural metals have been used on exteriors since the turn of the 19th century.
Siding, roofs, storefronts, window sashes, hardware were and are highly decorative and maybe
important in defining the overall character of a building. Metals commonly used include, lead, zinc,
copper, brass, iron, steel, Nichol alloys and stainless steel. Today it is prefabricated and available in
standard sizes and designs. We have tried to be similar -like but not imitative, with our exteriors. The top
two floors are 7/8" M-core Galvalume, (Colonial Red), which we believe creates a Unity of Form.
PolyCarb : Is a strong, durable material that has high insulating values and good natural lighting
qualities. On the first floor it is used additionally as a screening device for the back offices. On the stairs
to the South it amplifies the natural light into the stairwell and protects the occupants from weather.
Sec. of Interior #3: Each property will be recognized as a physical record of its time, place, and use.
Changes that create a false sense of historical development will not be undertaken.
The materials of this contemporary design do reflect the social, economic and demographics of our time
We believe this design will complement the renewal of urban migration.
PaulPageDwellings, LEED AP
GUS DESIGN COOP, LEED AP
Matt Snyder, AAIA, LEED AP