IV - 49 FACILITIES - THE BRANCHES E D
Transcription
IV - 49 FACILITIES - THE BRANCHES E D
FACILITIES - THE BRANCHES EXTERIOR DESIGN AND BUILDING IMAGE IV - 49 EXTERIOR DESIGN AND BUILDING IMAGE An interesting and unusual aspect of the Dallas Public Library branch system is that each of its twenty-two locations has its own distinctive exterior design expression. However, there are some common themes in plan organization that are expressed in the building form and exterior treatment that generally reflect the period in which they were constructed. The exterior design guidelines of the Master Plan were developed to avoid the problems and build upon the successes identified at the present branch locations. Branches built during the 1960's and early 1970's Most of these older facilities such as Walnut Hill, Hampton-Illinois, Casa View, Polk Wisdom and Audelia Road are simple rectangular shaped structures with low-slung flat roofs. These are unassuming buildings that don't stand out in their surrounding environment, especially in a busy retail strip. The exterior designs of these branches feature facades with either large expanses of storefront glazing or solid masonry. The glazed facades usually face a public street, which is good. Unfortunately the solid walls block views to parking areas. Branches built during the 1970's and 80's Many of these branches introduced new design features to increase their visual impact and attractiveness. Though very similar in plan to the branches of the 1960's, Dallas West mixed smaller alternating sections of glass and solid walls at each façade of the building, resulting in a more accessible and inviting appearance. Lakewood retained the simple shape and low roofline but utilized high quality materials such as copper mansard roofs with deep overhangs at its windows, attractive brick walls, lush landscaping and bold exterior sculpture. Branches such as Fretz Park, Highland Hills and Skyline employed complex plan configurations and higher, more distinctive rooflines. Of these, Skyline has the most successful exterior design because it is compatible in scale and design expression to its park-like surroundings. In contrast, Fretz Park faces its parking lot and public entrance with large expanses of almost windowless brick walls at its meeting room, staff room and Children's wing. IV - 50 FACILITIES - THE BRANCHES RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EXTERIOR DESIGN Branches built in the mid to late 1990's These branches are even more varied in form and are successful in holding their own as special buildings in their neighborhoods. Mountain Creek combines a complex shaped floor plan with a bold sloped roofline. Kleberg-Rylie has a less complex plan and a high and broadly arching roofline over its reading rooms. Renner Frankford has an even simpler plan but numerous gable and contrasting flat roof forms. Oak Lawn has a simple rectangular plan and roofline but varied wall and window treatments on each facade. North Oak Cliff also has a simple rectangular plan, but has a bold gable skylight that runs like a tall central spine from the drop-off at its entry to the opposite end of the building. The strongest point of these newer designs is their distinctive higher rooflines. Given the flat topography and long views common in Dallas, this makes them more visible and recognizable. These high roofs also create a feeling of spaciousness and light within the central public service areas of these branches. The weakest part of the latest designs is that most have solid, almost windowless entry facades, which create safety and security problems. This issue is most evident at the Skillman Southwestern, Kleberg-Rylie and Renner Frankford branches. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EXTERIOR DESIGN The Dallas Library does not wish to create a common design expression for its branches, but rather to provide design guidance for dealing with common issues and for creating high quality designs at all branch locations. Plan Configuration Library programs fit best in simple rectangular spaces, especially the stack areas. The use of varied building massing, to create wings for example, is generally most successful to delineate and draw distinction between major program groupings such as the meeting room complex, the staff room and other supporting core facilities, and the primary public service areas. Excessive gratuitous use of projections and corners in a design can reduce efficiency, increase costs and create blind spots both within and outside the facility. FACILITIES - THE BRANCHES RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EXTERIOR DESIGN IV - 51 Rooflines Given the size of a single story branch, and the relative simplicity of its plan, the use of interesting roofline forms and attractive roofing materials is recommended as a way to create a distinctive appearance that will mark a branch as a landmark in its community. Bold yet simple designs are best to control costs and avoid potential leaks. Varying roof heights and contrasting flat and sloped roof forms are strategies that have been successfully employed in some of Dallas Public Library's latest branches. Skylights can be used but only in limited applications due to concerns about heat gain, leaking and glare. Raised roof sections with clerestory windows, window monitors or dormers are better alternatives for creating higher spaces and bringing added natural light to center of the branch. Regardless of the system chosen for introducing natural light from overhead, quality materials and careful detailing is required, especially at flashing conditions, to avoid leaks. Walls and Windows Light to medium tone brick masonry or similar high quality, durable low maintenance material such as "real" stucco is recommended. These materials are appropriate for this region. They will minimize heat gain, and tend to increase the apparent size and visibility of the branch, especially in contrast to shaded landscaped areas. Deep roof overhangs and/or solar louvers or awnings are recommended at southern and western exposures to control glare and excess heat gain. These will also create bold shade and shadow lines and enhance the transparency of windows. Wherever possible each facade should have at least some glazed areas to improve security and create a feeling of accessibility and welcome. This is especially important at the entry façade. Lightly tinted or low reflectance glazing is recommended to maintain transparency here and in other areas where the goal is to showcase the interior of the library and increase awareness of its resources to the community. If darker tinted glass is used in these areas its effects should be offset with external shading devices and interior accent lighting of surfaces and objects near the window surface. This is a design strategy often used for storefront display windows. Storefront and window frames should be of durable low maintenance anodized or Kynar painted aluminum. The color and value (lightness or darkness) of these frames should be used to compliment exterior walls and add interest to the design. Clerestory and/or monitor windows should be of curtain wall construction to avoid the potential of severe damage from overhead leaks. IV - 52 FACILITIES - THE BRANCHES BUILDING SHELL TECHNICAL GUIDELINES BUILDING SHELL TECHNICAL GUIDELINES The construction industry is a dynamic, ever changing industry with materials, products and processes constantly evolving in response to market and environmental demands. Guidelines for quality construction must take into consideration the existence of proven building techniques and materials while being flexible enough to adapt to the evolving industry process. Even the use of the best construction design, materials and techniques requires a process for maintaining the building investment. Glazing - includes transparent or opaque glass or plastic materials and opaque panels set into a system designed to hold those materials in a secured or weather tight condition. • Selection of materials should be based on durability, safety, security, vandalism and energy conservation. • Clerestory windows should have lightly tinted, insulating, security glass to avoid condensation problems which occur when heat rises in ceiling spaces. • Avoid the use of translucent, insulated fiberglass which have a short life-span. • Control light transmission and heat gain with site location and architectural elements. Limit the use of glass on southern and southwest exposures. • Use lightly tinted, heat absorbing, low-E , insulating glass on exposed southern and southwest exposures. Skylights • • When thoughtfully used, skylights can be an important source of improved ambient lighting. Care must be taken to provide units that are insulated and have heat reducing glazing. Curbs should always be well elevated above the roof surface and should be insulated, and properly flashed. In order to limit condensation on the glazing material, avoid the use of light wells which trap warm air or provide a means of air movement with additional return or supply air grills. FACILITIES - THE BRANCHES BUILDING SHELL TECHNICAL GUIDELINES IV - 53 Roofing • • • • • • • Materials should be selected on the basis of longevity and compatibility with the majority of existing library roofing systems. For low-slope roofs, conventional four-ply, built-up fiberglass roof systems are easier to repair than single-ply, non-asphalt based systems. Low slope single ply and foamed-in-place roof systems require a great deal of technical skill in application and repair and should be avoided. Where possible, avoid the installation of interior roof drains and always have an over-flow drain or scupper. Flashings associated with roofing must be compatible with the roofing product and should be able to be soldered if the material is metal. Painted coated flashings that rely entirely on sealants for waterproof connections should be avoided. High sloped roofs should have coverings that resist wind, fire and hail damage and have at least a 20 year life cycle. Avoid the installation of gutters on roofs at sites with adjacent trees. Typical manufacturer's roof guarantees are written to protect their interest in lieu of that of the owner. If other than the standard one or two year guarantee is desired, it should be written by the owner's representative. Exterior Wall Materials • Most buildings should be constructed with a hard surface exterior material such as stone or brick and installed as a veneer to allow for interior drainage to the exterior if the veneer or flashings fail for some reason. • Select proven materials based on long life expectancy and attach them to a stiff back-up wall with anchors designed to resist horizontal wind loading and cavity corrosion. • Avoid construction of exterior walls with directly attached exterior finish. Most soils in the Dallas area are expansive and movement in foundations is difficult to control. Stucco directly applied to masonry will usually crack and is difficult to repair in a satisfactory manner. Because of its ability to bridge cracks, synthetic exterior finish is a good top coating for traditional three coat plaster stucco. • If synthetic insulated exterior finish systems are to be used, they should always be installed with a moisture drainage system and water repellent barrier. Impact resistant systems should be installed at lower levels adjacent to pedestrian and service areas. IV - 54 • FACILITIES - THE BRANCHES BUILDING SHELL TECHNICAL GUIDELINES If aluminum storefront or curtain wall systems are to be used, careful attention should be paid to the system design and installation. Most systems use dry glazing and depend upon gravity draining of water to the outside. Thermal break systems are now available and should be considered in an effort to reduce interior winter sweating maintenance problems and to increase thermal insulation. Thermal Insulation • Walls and ceiling should be insulated with mineral fiber insulation encased in fire-rated protective plastic or paper sleeves to reduce the amount of fibers in the air. • Care must be taken when using sprayed-in-place plastic foam or cellulose materials such as insulation. Although generally good insulators, these materials limit access to ceilings or walls when future work in those areas needs to be done. • When the building design requires roof insulation under the roof membrane, the insulation must be dense enough to support the roofing installation work and should be a closed-cell, non-gassing insulation compatible with the roofing membrane. Water penetration and Vapor Control • Wall penetrations such as doors and windows should be protected from water damage with metal flashing such as copper, lead coated copper, stainless steel, tern coated stainless steel or metal laminates. Avoid the use of thermoplastics or bituminous sheet membranes which may to break down chemically when subjected to other building materials. Also avoid the use of factory painted sheet metal which cannot be soldered. • Use elastomeric sealants such as urethane or silicone with backer rods at expansion and control joints. Sealants must be compatible with substrate. Use latex, acrylic and siliconized caulks at interior conditions only. • Window, door penetrations, and other penetrations through the exterior building envelope should be sealed with expanding foam to reduce air infiltration. • To protect flooring materials, floor slabs constructed directly on the ground must be protected from ground water vapor transmission. This is usually accomplished with an under slab vapor barrier. If the site water table is particularly high, a quality waterproof membrane must be installed. FACILITIES - THE BRANCHES BUILDING SHELL TECHNICAL GUIDELINES • • • Durability • • IV - 55 To protect the building insulation from being saturated with moisture, provide a vapor retarder membrane at the stud face behind gypsum board at exterior walls. Building wrap over exterior sheathing at exterior stud wall construction should be considered to control air infiltration. Buildings with a masonry back-up wall should have a water based liquid vapor retarder applied to prevent water damage to interior surfaces. The ability of a building to withstand the cycles of nature and human use is normally associated with the quality of the materials and craftsmanship used in construction. New projects should be carefully reviewed before requesting bids to ensure that only those products and procedures with a good durability record are used in the project. Appearance and Compatibility With Surroundings • Effort should be made to assure the design of a building which relates visually and aesthetically to its physical location and environment. The choice of design features and appearance is often dictated by programmatic requirements, but the approval of local residents, who will ultimately be the end users, should be incorporated into the design process. • Local cultural character can often be used to determine the materials and appearance of a building, but should not be the sole criteria for visual design. The local neighborhood should receive a building that represents the over-all goals and quality established by the central library system. Environmental Conservation • The City of Dallas policy is to adhere to the principles of sustainable architecture. The goal is to develop buildings that are sensitively designed to the environmental factors of the site, the use of renewable materials and minimal impact to energy consumption in the production of materials and in the building systems operations. The L.E.E.D.S. program is currently being used on public buildings. Other programs may evolve over time as national standards are adopted. IV - 56 FACILITIES - THE BRANCHES BUILDING STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING GUIDELINES BUILDING STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING GUIDELINES Codes and Regulations All new library facilities shall have its structural components designed by a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas, and all structural drawings shall have his sealed affixed. The structural engineering design shall comply with the latest edition of the following codes: A. City of Dallas Building Code B. American Concrete Institute C. American Institute of Steel Construction D. Steel Joist Institute In the event of discrepancies between these codes on a specific item, the most conservative approach shall be followed. Design Live Loads Design Live Loads shall be as indicated by the appropriate building code section, except that the following minimum live loads shall be used in the structural design of floors: a) Public Areas 100 psf (150 recommended for flexibility) b) Stack Rooms 150 psf c) Mechanical Rooms 125 psf The Architect and the Structural Engineer shall determine if it is intended to have high density filing or shelving systems in the library immediately upon occupancy or at some future date after the building is completed. Floors shall be designed to safely support the loads imposed by those systems, and the areas designated for those special loads shall be clearly indicated in the floor framing plan. The structural drawings shall include appropriate notes listing the design live loads for which the structure is designed. Floors shall be designed sufficiently rigid to prevent objectionable vibrations. Foundations FACILITIES - THE BRANCHES BUILDING STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING GUIDELINES IV - 57 Building foundations shall be designed following strictly the recommendations given in the Geotechnical Investigation Report. However, shallow foundation systems shall be avoided, except in cases where shale or limestone rock formations are found very close to the proposed finished floor elevation. In general use either straight shaft or underreamed belled drilled piers, with a minimum length of 8 feet regardless of the depth from top of drilled pier to the bearing formation. Spread footings on sand may be used if recommended by the geotechnical engineer but not on clay. Provide trapezoidal carton void forms as recommended by the Geotechnical Investigation Report, to prevent expansion of clay soils from exerting pressure on the bottom of grade beams. The bottom of perimeter grade beams must be set 12 inches minimum below final outside grade. If the ground floor is designed as a suspended structural slab, provide an accessible crawl space (18 inches clear below lowest member) with 2-inch thick, 2500 psi unreinforced mud slab properly sloped and drained. All crawl spaces must be ventilated and lighted. Typically the finish elevation level of the slab should be a minimum of 6” above the exterior finish grade level. Slab-on-Grade Ground Floors Slab-on-grade ground floors shall be designed only if the existing surficial site soils are inactive (Plasticity Index less than 15) or if the slab-on-grade subgrade may be improved to reduce the Potential Vertical Rise (PVR) to 1 inch or less in accordance with the recommendations of the geotechnical engineer, and that approach is agreeable to the City. During the Schematic Design Phase the Architect and Structural Engineer will submit to the City the proposed method for designing the ground floor. Provide slab on-grade control joints (construction or contraction joints) as required to break the slab into sections with a maximum area of approximately 400 square feet. Provide "diamond" leaveouts at all columns, with control joints intersecting the corners of the leaveouts. The top of exterior and interior grade beams, as well as the top of interior drilled piers, shall be set not less than 8 inches below the top of the slab-on-grade. Slab-on-grade shall not be cast monolithically with grade beams. All grade beams shall be formed on both sides. Earth forming shall not be permitted. Design slab reinforcing using re-bars supported by chairs. Do not use welded wire fabric reinforcing. Do not use postensioning steel tendons. Provide not less than 3 inches of clear cover over electrical or mechanical conduits embedded in the slab. Provide minimum 8-mil polyethylene vapor barrier sheets between subgrade and slab-on-grade. Use minimum f 'c = 3,000 psi concrete, with a maximum 1-inch aggregate size, and a maximum slump of 5 inches. IV - 58 FACILITIES - THE BRANCHES BUILDING STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING GUIDELINES Structurally Supported Ground Floors Ground floors designed as structurally supported slabs may consist of suspended structural systems (usually steel or concrete) with a crawl space, or concrete slabs and beams cast over carton void forms or loose inert fill, without a crawl space. Depending on cost and other factors, the use of a suspended structural system with a crawl space is favored over any other alternatives. Suspended structural systems made out of precast or cast-in-place concrete are preferred over structural steel. However, if a suspended structural steel system with a crawl space is selected, use steel wideflange beams (either composite or non-composite) and concrete topping over form metal deck, with a minimum slab thickness of 5". A maximum span length to beam depth ratio of 20 shall be used when designing floor beams made out of structural steel. Do not use steel joists. Specify a good corrosion protection shop priming system, with a minimum dry film thickness of 5 mils. If a precast concrete system is utilized for the ground floor use a minimum concrete topping thickness of 2 inches at midspan of precast members. Provide control joints using "T-strips" set in the fresh concrete topping in line with the joints between members. Provide welded wire reinforcing of adequate size in the concrete topping to control cracking. If a cast-in-place concrete system is used, special attention shall be given to construction joint locations and details. The structural framing plans, sections and notes shall clearly indicate the location of permissible construction joints, to be located within the middle third of the spans. Provide sections and details as required to define the size and arrangement of reinforcing steel dowels. Provide details as required showing additional reinforcing steel at corners and openings. Provide beam schedules and typical bar bending diagrams as required. Specify the compressive strength, maximum water-cement ratio, minimum cement content, maximum coarse aggregate size and slump to be used in the design of the concrete mixes for the different parts of the structure, in accordance with the recommendations of the American Concrete Institute. Use minimum f 'c = 4,000 psi for suspended floor systems. If a structurally supported slab on carton forms is used, provide minimum 8-mil polyethylene vapor barrier sheets between the carton forms and the concrete slab. Develop clear notes and specifications to ensure that carton forms that are defective or have been weakened by long periods of exposure to rain are removed from the site and replaced prior to placing the concrete. Specify that all reinforcing steel is to be supported by chairs and tied as required before placing the concrete. Do not allow the beams to be cast monolithically with the slab. Provide specifications and notes as required to indicate that the slab is to be cast at least 7 days after the beams have been poured. Show construction joint details indicating how the slab is to be doweled to the beams. FACILITIES - THE BRANCHES BUILDING MECHANICAL ENGINEERING GUIDELINES IV - 59 The following systems material & performance requirement should be evaluated in the design of building systems. Heating System Boilers Capacity Efficiency Durability Features: I.E., Liners, Materials & Construction Maintenance access hatches and doors Radiators Efficiency and Capacity per foot Durability of materials and construction Accessibility for maintenance Ductwork Construction-Galvanized Steel w/Fiberglass insulation, Flex duct at air devices only, NO "FUZZ DUCT" Design- Flexibility to accommodate future changes, i.e.,, VAV versus constant volume Piping Copper Pipe with Jacketed insulation, isolation as required. Fans Sized to deliver volumes and pressures QUIETLY Require Manufacturers Warranty Maintainability: i.e., Access doors, Belt Drives, Self-lubricating bearings, or lubricating cups Controls Adequate number of thermostat, i.e. one per 1200 Square Ft. Solid State for durability and flexibility Hot Water Pumps Sized for System pressure and volume Designed for system static pressure and Temperature Cooling System Rooftop A/C Unit Sized for CFM's and BTU's required Designed for Outdoor Operation Access doors and panels Chilled Water preferred. DX systems should be avoided Permanently lubricated bearings or lubrication cups for bearings IV - 60 FACILITIES - THE BRANCHES PLUMBING GUIDELINES Air Handler (Buildings) Sized for CFM's and BTU's required Access doors and panels Chilled Water preferred over DX ( Durability & Energy Efficiency) Permanently lubricated bearings or lubrication cups for bearings Air Handlers (Auditorium) Sized for CFM's and BTU's required Access doors and panels Chilled water preferred over DX (Durability) Permanently lubricated bearings or lubrication cups for bearings Chillers Sized for GPM's and BTU's required For Air-Cooled Units Sized at 105F Ambient Non-CFC refrigerants Cooling Towers Sized for GPM's and BTU's required Sized at 105F dry bulb, 78Fwet. Fiberglass Plastic construction and fill Access doors and panels Chilled Water Pump Sized for GPM's and pressure drop required Permanently lubricated bearings or lubrication cups for bearings Designed for ease of Maintenance PLUMBING GUIDELINES Water Piping Sized for fixtures plus growth Copper or Steel, no PVC In chases where possible, isolation bushings as needed Sanitary Serer Piping Sized and sloped for flow Cast Iron Soil Pipe, no PVC In chases where possible Storm Drainage piping Sized and sloped for 100 year rainfall, with overflow where needed Steel, no PVC FACILITIES - THE BRANCHES PLUMBING GUIDELINES Grates, grilles or domes on all intakes, provide roof access for cleaning Gas Piping Sized as needed for Maximum possible flow Black Iron pipe with lining. Roof mounted where possible, attic runs where not, with access Valves, Traps and accessories Sized as needed Copper or brass Nut assembly for easy disassembly Plumbing Fixtures Water conserving fixtures w/infrared beam automatic operation Porcelain fixtures with copper water pipe. Individual stops on each fixture Drinking Fountains Sized for adequate recovery rates Designed for durability Maintenance access Sprinkler (Irrigation) Systems Designed for complete coverage of area Steel pipe and metal heads Easily adjustable time clock controls IV - 61 IV - 62 FACILITIES - THE BRANCHES TYPICAL BRANCH PROGRAMMING ANALYSIS TYPICAL BRANCH PROGRAMMING ANALYSIS An important goal of the Master Plan is to promote greater consistency in the design, quality and functionality of all branch facilities. This is not meant to be overly prescriptive in a way that would limit or stifle the creativity and variety of design needed to respond to each site and every neighborhood’s needs. There will always be some variation in the size and distribution of program elements due to the special needs of the communities, but there are basic minimum space requirements and plan relationships that must be met to assure a successful design. In order to develop the proposed new library ‘Kit of Parts’ recommendations that follow later in this section, it was important for the library planners to fully analyze the existing programs of the branches. The following quantitative look at an existing library program is provided to illustrate what, in the opinions of both the library staff and the consultants, comes closest to being an “ideal” program: