HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB201400014 Staff Report 2014-03-171
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT
Project #/Name ARB-2014-014: Flow Porsche Renovation
Review Type Preliminary Review of a Building Permit
Parcel Identification 078000000015D0
Location 1313 Richmond Road, on the south side of Rt. 250 East, approximately 700’ east of People Place
Zoned Highway Commercial (HC), Entrance Corridor (EC)
Owner/Applicant Janice S Linkous/Bradley & Ball Architects (Rick Ball)
Magisterial District Rivanna
Proposal To renovate the Porsche showroom at the west end of the building with the addition of silver Alucobond panels and
an entry feature of vertical butt-glazed glass.
Context The Flow auto dealership building is located in the Pantops commercial area where a number of other auto
dealerships are also located.
Visibility The building is readily visible from the EC. The renovated wing of the building will be readily visible from the EC.
ARB Meeting Date March 17, 2014
Staff Contact Margaret Maliszewski
2
PROJECT HISTORY
DATE APPLICATION RESULT
September 1999 ARB-1999-18 The original building at this site predates the establishment of Entrance Corridors in the
County. The ARB approved a renovation to the original auto dealership building in 1999.
The broad gable roof and the canopy overhangs of the original were removed, and EIFS
surfaces were added.
November 2005
January – May 2006
ARB-2005-120
ARB-2005-169
The ARB approved a renovation that removed the front fascia created in the 1999
approval, and established three building “blocks”.
August 5, 2008 ARB-2007-07
ARB-2007-21
ARB-2007-98
Final ARB approval was granted for an addition to the building, consisting of an
additional two “blocks” at the west end of the building. Changes to the display parking
were also approved.
PROPOSED CHANGES
A new curved façade of Alucobond panels is proposed for the Porsche showroom portion of the Flow building. The curved canopy is broken
by a “glass light slot” above the Porsche entrance. The glass of the light slot and the glass below the Alucobond panels is butt-joint insulated
glass. The Alucobond panels (a sandwich of polyethylene between two aluminum sheets) would have a metallic silver finish. EIFS on the
side elevation would have a sand finish and a darker gray color. With the Alucobond face, the Porsche showroom reaches 24’ high
(measured from the upper finished floor), an increase of 3’ above the existing taller Porsche bay. The width of the showroom on the front
elevation would be approximately 46’. The new form on the side elevation measures 33’, plus the front curve.
ANALYSIS
REF GUIDELINE ISSUE RECOMMENDATION
1 The goal of the regulation of the design of
development within the designated Entrance
Corridors is to insure that new development within
the corridors reflects the traditional architecture of
the area. Therefore, it is the purpose of ARB review
and of these Guidelines, that proposed development
within the designated Entrance Corridors reflect
elements of design characteristic of the significant
historical landmarks, buildings, and structures of the
The proposed renovation does not increase
the compatibility of the building with the
historic architecture of the area. It does not
include materials, features or details that
reflect the traditional architecture of the
County. It moves the building design further
away from compatibility with traditional
architecture and much closer to trademark
Revise the forms and
materials of the design to
reflect the traditional
architecture of the area and
to increase compatibility
with Albemarle’s historic
architecture. Use materials,
forms, features, textures
3
Charlottesville and Albemarle area, and to promote
orderly and attractive development within these
corridors. Applicants should note that replication of
historic structures is neither required nor desired.
corporate design.
The Alucobond material, butt glazed strip
windows, light slot, curved canopy, and
metallic finishes were not used historically
and are not compatible with the historic
buildings of Albemarle. These features are
typical examples of current-day preferences
in automobile showroom design. The
proposed renovation is compatible with other
auto dealerships in the corridor that have
already incorporated those preferences.
However, even though contemporary designs
can be approved in the ECs, the guidelines
also call for compatibility with historic
structures of the area and this renovation
does not represent a balance of those
characteristics.
and colors that are
representative of the
historic architecture of
Albemarle County. 2 Visitors to the significant historical sites in the
Charlottesville and Albemarle area experience these
sites as ensembles of buildings, land, and vegetation.
In order to accomplish the integration of buildings,
land, and vegetation characteristic of these sites, the
Guidelines require attention to four primary factors:
compatibility with significant historic sites in the
area; the character of the Entrance Corridor; site
development and layout; and landscaping.
3 New structures and substantial additions to existing
structures should respect the traditions of the
architecture of historically significant buildings in the
Charlottesville and Albemarle area. Photographs of
historic buildings in the area, as well as drawings of
architectural features, which provide important
examples of this tradition are contained in Appendix
A.
4 The examples contained in Appendix A should be
used as a guide for building design: the standard of
compatibility with the area’s historic structures is not
intended to impose a rigid design solution for new
development. Replication of the design of the
important historic sites in the area is neither intended
nor desired. The Guideline’s standard of
compatibility can be met through building scale,
materials, and forms which may be embodied in
architecture which is contemporary as well as
traditional. The Guidelines allow individuality in
design to accommodate varying tastes as well as
special functional requirements.
9 Building forms and features, including roofs,
windows, doors, materials, colors and textures should
be compatible with the forms and features of the
significant historic buildings in the area, exemplified
4
by (but not limited to) the buildings described in
Appendix A [of the design guidelines]. The standard
of compatibility can be met through scale, materials,
and forms which may be embodied in architecture
which is contemporary as well as traditional. The
replication of important historic sites in Albemarle
County is not the objective of these guidelines.
5 It is also an important objective of the Guidelines to
establish a pattern of compatible architectural
characteristics throughout the Entrance Corridor in
order to achieve unity and coherence. Building
designs should demonstrate sensitivity to other
nearby structures within the Entrance Corridor.
Where a designated corridor is substantially
developed, these Guidelines require striking a careful
balance between harmonizing new development with
the existing character of the corridor and achieving
compatibility with the significant historic sites in the
area.
The forms, materials and scale of the
proposed renovation are clearly
contemporary in character. They are not
compatible with the historic architecture of
the area. By bringing the building design
more in line with the trademark corporate
standard, the proposed renovation does not
respect the local architectural traditions of
Albemarle.
The proposed renovation relates to the
dealership buildings in the immediate area
that use metal or metal-like materials,
expanses of glass, and broad smooth-
surfaced forms, typically in light-colored or
metallic finishes, as an identification of their
corporate image. Although these features
repeat along the EC, they are not
representative of the historic architecture of
the area. The goal of this type of design is
corporate identification. Adding another
example of this to the corridor will further
diminish the overall character of the corridor
and further distance it from the historic
character of the county.
Revise the design to
establish more of a balance
between contemporary
trademark design and
compatibility with
Albemarle’s historic
character.
10 Buildings should relate to their site and the
surrounding context of buildings.
11 The overall design of buildings should have human
scale. Scale should be integral to the building and site
design.
The proposed renovation changes the form,
mass and scale of the building. The rhythm
of the building established by the five bays
Revise the design to
maintain human scale and
emphasize traditional 12 Architecture proposed within the Entrance Corridor
5
should use forms, shapes, scale, and materials to
create a cohesive whole.
projecting up and down, forward and back, is
broken and the continuity of the design is
lost. The Alucobond panels appear to meet
the Audi side elevation awkwardly.
The proposed Alucobond canopy has a
monumental – not human – scale. Human
scale is reduced with the broad forms of the
Alucobond panels and the glass light slot.
The Alucobond panels on the front and side
elevations form an expansive area that is
without windows. With the Alucobond
canopy, the Porsche wing appears heavy in
comparison to the three bays of the original
building.
architectural elements
rather than corporate
identification. Include
human scale as an integral
part of the design.
Provide a perspective view
to clarify the appearance of
the curved canopy, the
light slot, and the juncture
of the canopy with the side
elevation of the Audi
showroom.
Revise the design of the
Porsche showroom to
maintain a level of
continuity and coordination
with the existing building
bays.
13 Any appearance of “blankness” resulting from
building design should be relieved using design
detail or vegetation, or both.
15 Trademark buildings and related features should be
modified to meet the requirements of the Guidelines.
The proposed renovation is the application of
a company standard design to an existing
local building, an attempt to make the
building consistent with the Porsche national
branding scheme. As such, it is about
corporate identity, not compatibility with
Albemarle’s historic architecture. The
modifications that are made adapt the
trademark design to the existing building, not
the trademark design to an historically
compatible design.
Revise the proposal to
achieve an overall design
that is more representative
of historic architecture and
brings the building more in
line with the EC
guidelines, not further
away from them.
16 Window glass in the Entrance Corridors should not be
highly tinted or highly reflective. Window glass in the
Entrance Corridors should meet the following
criteria: Visible light transmittance (VLT) shall not
drop below 40%. Visible light reflectance (VLR)
Specs on the window glass were not included
in the submittal.
Provide specs on the
proposed glass for review.
Show that the glass meets
the following criteria:
6
shall not exceed 30%. Specifications on the proposed
window glass should be submitted with the
application for final review.
Visible light transmittance
(VLT) shall not drop below
40%. Visible light reflectance
(VLR) shall not exceed 30%.
Specifications on the
proposed window glass
should be submitted with the
application for final review.
21 The following note should be added to the site plan and
the architectural plan: “Visibility of all mechanical
equipment from the Entrance Corridor shall be
eliminated.”
The note is needed on the drawings. Add the standard
equipment note to the
drawings.
Lighting No lighting changes are indicated in the submittal.
Any proposed building-mounted lights require
review.
Confirm that no new building-
mounted lights or site lights are
proposed, and that no changes to
existing building-mounted or site
lights are proposed, or provide full
details for review.
Landscaping No landscaping changes are indicated in the
submittal. The approved plans show shrubs in
planters directly in front of the Porsche showroom.
Confirm that no changes to existing
landscaping are proposed, including
the shrubs in planters in front of the
building, or provide full details for
review.
Development pattern, grading The proposal does not change the overall
orientation of the building to the EC. The applicant
indicates that no site changes are proposed;
however, the side elevation shows the side paired
doors at parking lot level, and the approved plan
shows that entrance a few feet above parking lot
level.
Revise the side elevation to
accurately show the relationship of
the wall to the parking lot.
Signs A Porsche channel letter sign is shown on the front
elevation.
A separate sign permit application
will be needed for the wall sign.
7
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the following as the primary points of discussion:
1. Proposed materials
2. Proposed building forms
3. Compatibility with the existing building, the corridor, and the historic character of Albemarle
Staff offers the following comments on the proposal:
1. Revise the forms and materials of the design to reflect the traditional architecture of the area and to increase compatibilit y with
Albemarle’s historic architecture. Use materials, forms, features, textures and colors that are representative of the historic
architecture of Albemarle County.
2. Revise the design to establish more of a balance between contemporary trademark design and compatibility with Albemarle’s
historic character.
3. Revise the design to maintain human scale and emphasize traditional architectural elements rather than corporate identification.
Include human scale as an integral part of the design.
4. Provide a perspective view to clarify the appearance of the curved canopy, the light slot, and the juncture of the canopy with the side
elevation of the Audi showroom.
5. Revise the design of the Porsche showroom to maintain a level of continuity and coordination with the existing building bays.
6. Revise the proposal to achieve an overall design that is more representative of historic architecture and brings the building more in
line with the EC guidelines, not further away from them.
7. Provide specs on the proposed glass for review. Show that the glass meets the following criteria: Visible light transmittance (VLT)
shall not drop below 40%. Visible light reflectance (VLR) shall not exceed 30%. Specifications on the proposed window glass s hould
be submitted with the application for final review.
8. Add the standard equipment note to the drawings. “Visibility of all mechanical equipment from the Entrance Corridor shall be
eliminated.”
9. Confirm that no new building-mounted lights or site lights are proposed, and that no changes to existing building-mounted or site
lights are proposed, or provide full details for review.
10. Confirm that no changes to existing landscaping are proposed, including the shrubs in planters in front of the building, or provide
full details for review.
11. Revise the side elevation to accurately show the relationship of the wall to the parking lot.
12. Note that a separate sign permit application will be needed for the wall sign.
8
TABLE A This report is based on the following submittal items:
Sheet # Drawing Name Drawing Date/Revision Date
- Color rendering of front elevation -
A1.1 Floor Plan 12/27/13
A2.1 Proposed Elevations -
- EIFS sample – sand finish -
- Paint sample – Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray SW7019 (for EIFS surfaces) -
- Alucobond sample -
- Color sample – Sunrise Silver Metallic B3002-DXLE (for Alucobond) -