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HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-12-047 - Duke & Ontario Garage Facade - Public EngagementREPORT TO: Community & Infrastructure Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: May 28, 2012 SUBMITTED BY: John McBride, Director Transportation Services, 741-2374 PREPARED BY: John McBride, Director Transportation Services, 741-2374 Cory Bluhm, Manager Downtown Development, 741-3400 WARD INVOLVED: Ward 10 DATE OF REPORT: May 17, 2012 REPORT .: NOINS-12-047 SUBJECT: DUKE & ONTARIO GARAGE FAÇADE - PUBLIC INPUT RECOMMENDATION: That the coloured façade treatment for the Duke & Ontario Garage as supported by the majority of public respondents, which includes adding an accent colour (chartreuse) to the helix and the entryway to the building, while showcasing the architectural features of the building with a variety of grey tones be approved. BACKGROUND: The last phase of structural repairs in the Duke & Ontario Garage is about to commence and, among other structural repairs, will also include repairs and sealing of the façade of the garage. One of the advantages of the elastomeric sealer is that it can be coloured. This gives us the opportunity to not only hide the visual difference between the old concrete and the new repairs, but also to substantially change the appearance of the garage and create a landmark building that could become the visual focal point of this portion of the downtown. Different colour combinations that accent the helix, the columns or the parapet walls have the potential to turn an older grey structure into architecture that is more lively, interesting and even provocative. As approved at the Apr 23, 2012 Council meeting, staff have undertaken a public consultation process to gather input on what, if any, colour options should be considered as part of the façade repairs in the Duke & Ontario Garage. This report reflects the results of that public consultation process. ïî ó ï REPORT: Following the approval by Council of a public input process to consider façade options for the Duke & Ontario Garage façade, a small working group was formed to try and define the basic options for consideration that would be put forward for public input. The working group consisted of representatives of: Arts & Culture Advisory Committee/Public Art Working Group Heritage Kitchener Downtown Kitchener Business Improvement Area Downtown Advisory Committee A member of Council The group’s general consensus was to showcase and celebrate the distinct architectural features of the building through the simple use of accent colours combined with a variety of grey colour tones. This group then worked with staff to prepare four different options which were ultimately promoted through the City’s websites and social media channels where the public could vote for their favourite design. Community Survey (May 10 – May 22) The survey consisted of two simple questions, each with accompanying images: Question 1 - The four basic colouring methods consisted of: Option A - Use grey tones on the parking garage, but add an accent colour to showcase the helix/parking ramp and the entryway Option B - Use grey tones on the parking garage and helix/parking ramp; use a dark colour on the tower and roofline; and, accent the park walls with a bold colour Option C - Use grey tones on the parking garage and helix/parking ramp; use a dark colour on the horizontal fascias; and, accent the park walls and entryway with a bold colour Option D - Use a dark colour on the entire parking garage, and use an accent colour to showcase the park, ground level and entryway Option E - Maintain the current look of the garage by using only grey tones on the entire facade Question 2 - Based on choosing options A to D, respondents were shown three corresponding images, and asked to choose base and/or accent colours, which included: A teal base colour with an orange accent colour A red base colour with grey accent colours along the park A navy base colour with a chartreuse accent colour I don't like any of these colour options A total of 207 persons responded to the survey, of which 205 answered question 1, 182 answered question 2 and 51 provided written comments, with the following results: ïî ó î Question 1 - Different Methods of Adding Colour to the Garage: Option A (accent colour on the helix, grey tones on the rest of the facades) = 29% Option B (distinct colour on tower, accent colour around the park) = 21% Option C (distinct colour on horizontals, accent colour around the park) = 13% Option D (distinct colour on all facades, accent colour on the ground plane) = 23% Option E (grey tones only) = 14% Question 2 – Different Colour Options: Option A (teal base, orange accent) = 20% Option B (red base, grey accent) = 23% Option C (dark blue base, chartreuse accent) = 31% Option D (don’t like any of these options) = 26% Question 3 – Written Comments: 51 written comments were provided, the large majority of which suggested different colour variations. A number of respondents commented that they feel adding colour to the building would give it life. 6 respondents commented that they greatly appreciate the current modernistic architecture and feel adding colour would be a disservice to the building (however it should be noted that 3 of these 6 comments may have been written by the same author as they are very similar and were all submitted within a very short timeframe). Conclusion: Based on the working group feedback and community survey results, staff recommend the following colour selection: ïî ó í The rationale for the selected colour choices are as follows: The helix (parking ramp) is the most prominent architectural feature of the building. Using a bold accent colour (chartreuse) on the helix will create a bold architectural statement by having the feature stand out from the remainder of the building. Using the same accent colour on the entryway will provide visual balance to the building while enhancing user wayfinding by clearly marking the entrance to the building. Using white tones on the vertical columns to match the white structural beams (inside the actual garage) will create a visual illusion of the columns hoisting the parking levels in the air. They will also accentuate the height of the building. Using a grey tone on the horizontal panels create a contrast to the white columns. An architect from the working group described this look as a series of drawers framed within the larger building. The tower and top of the garage (ribbed concrete spans) give the building its overall shape and definition. Using dark grey tones on these features, as well as the ground walls, will give the building overall dimension and shape. In conclusion, it is staff’s opinion that adding these added colours will reinforce and highlight the key architectural features of the building. Doing so, should give the larger community a greater appreciation of the architectural value of the parking garage. ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: This initiative falls under both the Quality of Life and Dynamic Downtown priorities in that it will build greater public appreciation, understanding and protection of our cultural heritage resources and foster vitality in the core. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: The elastomeric coating (sealer) is already included in the Duke & Ontario Garage repair tender. There is no additional cost to colour the sealer. Any minor costs related to the public consultation process will be covered by the structural repair budget. COMMUNICATIONS: A working group made up of numerous interested groups helped to define potential façade scenarios for presentation to the public. The public were then invited to vote online for their preferred façade treatment. The results of both the working group and the public input form the basis of this report. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Pauline Houston, Deputy CAO Infrastructure Services Department ïî ó ì Written Comments Submitted As Part of the Online Survey: Brown Great idea :) Instead of the bright bold colours I would LOVE to see it in the colours of nature ... leafy greens, or woodsy browns, sky blues ... to help it blend back in :) Maybe commission one of the fabulous mural artists and paint a waterfall on it flowing down over all of the levels. I think the ramp and light grey siding of the parking structure should be painted the same colour, but the dark grey framing the parking be left the colour it is. Then use a darker orange or red if possible along the ground level highlights because if it's too bright it will be an eye sore. It should be pink. I'd prefer a teal or aqua rather than red or orange. Paint it something bright and summery like a tropical colour I would have liked to be able to go back and see the colour options for the other choices. I like the use of blue and the accented helix. I also think that accenting the entrance features and walkways will add an element of safety to the streetlevel. I like the teal, but the orange with it is a bit much for the accent colour. maybe a lighter blue in the same family of colors. Depends on what plants go near to it... I really don't understand the paint option....is this sort of thing actually popular? It really cheapens the look of the structure. I worked at THEMUSEUM so visitors always came to me with their concerns: -There should be more than 1 pay station and it should be more visible. -The stairwell needs to be cleaned more often, or at all. -Better directional and consistent signage -Better transponder detector upon entry and exit, it often didn't work. The brighter, more vibrant colours used, the better! Make it stand out. On a visit to Halifax we saw that the large metal boxes(for electrical?) that were located in the city were painted with murals and designs (not graffiti). It really added to the streets and made them interesting, rather than the plain utilitarian look of uniformity. Perhaps not for this project, but why not commission artists to beautify our city? I think color should be added to the inside levels and stairwells also. Hi there can you consider both buildings SAME IN COLOUR I like the idea of the brighter color to make it stand out not be hard for people to notice and find from a distance I wish the walls were some type of clear shatter resistant bullet proof glass ~ go all out with this Reno make it safe beyond all others and green The helix could be a rainbow colour pattern. I like the red as it blends with city hall and the historic core. Hate any idea of painting the garden wall. If anything, help it to look rustic and natural to the park itself. Hire graffiti artists/street artists to do a mural on a wall, something with a message that represents KW. The highlighting colours could correspond. While the colors of blue and yellow are very attractive, the ability to keep it up will be staggering. With the great sunshine we have, they will fade quickly. Thus keeping it almost concrete looking will allow for less maintenance. Thus funds for constant repainting could go elsewhere. Thank you for allowing me to have a say =] ïî ó ë An improvement would be to shade the lighting inside so it doesn't blind me everytime I look out my back window.I can't even watch t.v. it's so blinding...you guys have that place lit up all day and night and killing the electricity and there is no way you need that many lights.There is no reason to have them on all day(every one)full tilt. I would actually like a modified option D where both the horizontal elements of the garage AND the helix are emphasized. Colour...should be bold perhaps a terra cotta red to coordinate with both St Mary's and the block on King ST with MOT. A primary accent in dark slate grey and the balanceofthe structure in non-descript grey. ps: I am a graphic designer. Orange is the color of joy. Add a silhouette to each floor of animals and nature. I like sky blue at sunset. Would make a great picture Neat idea, reminds me of a similar brightly painted parking structure I saw in Manchester UK a few years back, same colours as I chose here - blue and chartreuse. I like the red colour but with the chartreuse, not by itself. Green- not quite as bright as the one shown. Chartreuse? Seriously? Back to the drawing board. I seriously suggest you consult a panel of professional artists for your design and colour choices. Chartreuse? Really? Those colour schemes were not good, sorry. Fire Engine Red. Haha Maybe use 2 shades of green....city colors and reminds of trees. The Duke Street Parking Garage is a significant part of the City of Kitchener's architectural history and colouring it is nothing less than vandalism. Thanks for asking opinion from the public.True Democratic process. choose a colour that helps it stand out architecturally but complement the appeal of green space. Perhaps two separate green (lighter) tones. When is the Ikea going in to match the garage? I liked the blue or red base colours, but the accent colours shown were too "violent". A variation on the City of Kitchener green & gold. I would also use a light projection at night for the helix because it is pretty cool at night. A color would be nice, but the bright colors suggested would be an eye sore The facility has been selected two or three times for commercial film production due to its external helix. Colouring this or the garage would jeapordize future productions, just sayin' Concrete colouring please. P.s. We received positive media coverage locally and filming always creates a buzz of excitement in the downtown core. Why only use 1 colour for the main surface? It'd be great if you could paint the surface with 3-4 different colour to alternate between each of the sections between columns, alternate on levels, etc. Black. A mosiac of multicolur cubes in bright hues Please consider how the design will age. Flashy and trendy colours will look TERRIBLE in a few short years. Accentuate the spiral! ïî ó ê This was great! I want the garage to have the colour *and texture* of concrete, which is part of what makes the garage a heritage structure. Paint, even if gray, will mask the texture. That said, I am mostly interested in the heritage character of the helix, and I would be OK with tasteful use of the rest of the structure as a canvas. The Duke Street Parking Garage is a beautiful example of Modernist architecture and we are incredibly fortunate to have such a beautiful example of it in downtown Kitchener. The history of the parking garage should be celebrated as an exciting period of time in downtown Kitchener and progressive architecture should not be cheapened by being colour- The Duke Street Parking Garage is a wonderful example of modernist architecture in downtown Kitchener. I strongly believe that keeping the facade the way it is will maintain the power and beauty of the parking garage. would be cool to have intelligent LED illumination system like the CN Tower - that could go up and down the helix along the edges... The paint is just going to look boring - and no one will agree on a colour. Garish and awful. This is an exquisite structure on its own - it's been photographed, used for film, and memorialised by artists because of the simple beauty of the concrete itself. With so many other projects that need doing to make the downtown better, don't waste money. Excellent idea....a pop of colour will really enhance this dull building! A pop of colour, will give this tired and dull building a 'face lift' ïî ó é