Architectural Advisory Board

Architectural Advisory Board George Mason High School Library, 7124 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22043 November 7th, 2018 The meeting was called to order at 7:33 p.m. 1. Roll Call: Mrs. Duggan, Mrs. Friedlander, Mr. Osborne, Mr. Way, and Mr. Wong were present 2. Petitions: There were no petitions 3. Consent Calendar: There were no Consent Calendar items 4. Other Business: There was no other business 5. Old Business: There was no old business 6. New Business: a. Recommendations and Feedback requested on the renovation and expansion of the Mary Riley Styles Public Library located at 120 N Virginia Ave, RPC #51-113-005 of the Falls Church Real Property Records, zoned OD-MCA, Official Design and Municipal Center Area. Variance Application V1606-18. Includes presentation from the Applicant. After City Staff comments and a presentation from the applicants, the Board asked several questions and provided the following recommendations: Overall, the Board is happy to have the ability to review the SD package for the Library Addition and provide recommendations at this stage to the design team to aid the team in navigating through more successful reviews in the Design Development Phase and Site Planning submission. The board heard from a library board representative who provided input that indicated the deed for the library is dependent on keeping the building in the “colonial” style else the funds go back to the family. As the definition of “colonial” was not clear, the board recommends the library board contact the deed trustees and/or family to review designs at multiple stages so as to assure compliance with the trustees wishes and intent. In general, being a municipal building, this project presents a great opportunity to introduce a structure that has a Civic Presence as a place for the community to gather and learn. The idea being that a Civic building is inviting by the nature of its massing, design/function and use of  materials. As shown in the presentation package, the massing of the building appears to be 5 separate masses and does not appear to be a cohesive structure that ties into the existing building. The Board recommends that the elevations and rooflines be simplified to be more cohesive to appear to be one cohesive/unified building from addition to existing structure, so identification of the addition is not as apparent as it seems in these elevations and perspectives. This can be done through study of proportions of the existing building, roof type/pitch and parapet lines and pulling those across the new addition elevations, roof lines/pitch and massing. The design at the main entrance at Park and N. Virginia should be reconsidered so as to make it more inviting and welcoming. The Board recommendations to achieve a more welcoming and inviting entry included discussion around how the proportions of the southern portion of the N. Virginia Street elevation (tall windows) are quite successful and keep with the original building design. It should be investigated to extend those proportions across the 3 arches and entry portico. The Board discussed alternate, more transparency of the materials at the entry to brighten it at night and allow more natural light into the north west corner of the building to better announce its presence at the corner as a place of Civic pride. The proportions of the new arched windows on the N. Virginia side should be adjusted to better match with those on the Park Ave side. The main entry portion of the building could be taller to better announce itself as a point of entry and anchor to the two street elevations (Park Avenue and N. Virginia Elevations). There are too many different hip roof elements in the addition design and intersection of these roof pitches and planes lends to awkward transitions of materials. The applicants should consider altering these elements, especially the transitional components between the larger rooms and the corner element, possibly incorporating a parapet or some other treatment to better the overall proportions of the massing and elevations. The emergency egress at the south alleyway should be designed so as not to be confused with any sort of an entrance. Removal of the canopy and a different, more opaque or solid door should be considered to deter the public from assuming this might be an alternate entrance or exit to that which has been located on the corner of Park and N. Virginia Avenues. 7. Minutes: a. Minutes from the October 3rd, 2018 AAB meeting were reviewed. Mr. Osborn made a motion they be accepted as submitted. Mr. Wong seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Harry E. Wells Building • 300 Park Avenue • Falls Church, Virginia 22046 • 703-248-5015 • www.fallschurchva.gov