Cooper, Robertson & Partners Architecture, Urban Design - Arlingtonva
Cooper, Robertson & Partners Architecture, Urban Design
Memorandum Date
Project
Project number
5/14/14
ARLINGTON COURTHOUSE SQUARE
13028
To
Company
Jason Beske
Arlington County
From
Re
Rob White
04/23 Outreach Event
Copies to
Company
Kris Krider
ACPD
Margaret Rhodes
ACPD
Andrew D’huyvetter
ACPD
William Kenworthey
CRP
Earl Jackson
CRP
Noor Majeed
CRP
TABLE 3A:
Round #1
•
Promenade extending south from Uhle St.
•
Taller building on Court West site with smaller portion pulling forward into public space
•
Small scale development on Verizon corner
•
Consider closing 14th Street
•
Potential County building tower on Strayer site
•
Cap off end of AMC Theater building
•
Cultural / Performance building could sit in the middle or along the open space – could be an object building and more transparent
•
Could build County building over top of theater building
•
Open space should have fountain / water feature
•
Keep new buildings to enclose the open space on all sides
•
Use buildings to mark / terminate prominent views
•
Generally not opposed to height (some reservations from a couple of people).
•
Make sure County building opens to open space and fronts as many directions as possible.
•
Some don’t like idea of very tall building.
•
Max county office square footage (all orange blocks) seems too large
•
Government center vs Civic center
•
Who will go into current County office space? – current office vacancy rates are already high
Round #2
•
Continue to lease County office space – current office vacancy rates are already high
•
Place all new square footage at south end of open space (South of 14th Street and above homeless shelter)
•
Don’t put any new development in current parking lot – should be all open space.
•
Do County offices need to be consolidated? Why not multiple smaller buildings.
•
Don’t want one massive county office building
•
Tall slender tower could help break things up – small footprint
311 West 43 Street New York, New York 10036
Telephone 212 247 1717 Telefax 212 245 0361
www.cooperrobertson.com Limited Liability Partnership
Cooper, Robertson & Partners Architecture, Urban Design
Memorandum •
Both tables like idea of tower on Stayer site.
ARLINGTON COURTHOUSE SQUARE
Page 2 of 2
Cooper, Robertson & Partners Architecture, Urban Design
Memorandum Date
Project
Project number
5/14/14
ARLINGTON COURTHOUSE SQUARE
13028
To
Company
Jason Beske
Arlington County
From
Re
Rob White
04/23 Outreach Event
Copies to
Company
Kris Krider
ACPD
Margaret Rhodes
ACPD
Andrew D’huyvetter
ACPD
William Kenworthey
CRP
Earl Jackson
CRP
Noor Majeed
CRP
3B:
Concept #1 •
Open space o Framed, not sprawling o Framed, safer edges o Interacts with Metro (better if Metro opens into Plaza o Make focal point
•
Residential on Courthouse West
•
Uhle as Pedestrian Plaza
•
Density still accommodated near Metro
•
Don’t make Courthouse Plaza too cavernous Concept #2
•
Retail on open space can open up (shed-like, roll-down doors) and indoor/outdoor plaza – work all year
•
Put height on Courthouse West (no shadow)
•
Europe-like (though doesn’t necessarily work w/tall buildings Concept #3
concern that open space must be programmed!
•
Residential on Verizon site
•
Take advantage of Metro location for density
•
Generous setbacks on plaza facades
•
Small space building on open space
•
3-4 story shed – open; doors open and indoor/outdoor space
•
Height on Court Square West Stress importance of Residential uses (condos important – not just rentals)
311 West 43 Street New York, New York 10036
Telephone 212 247 1717 Telefax 212 245 0361
www.cooperrobertson.com Limited Liability Partnership
Cooper, Robertson & Partners Architecture, Urban Design
Memorandum Concept #4 •
Example – Martin building behind Federal Reserve – one large multi-use space (performance, public)
•
Six stories on Plaza
•
Ground floor activated use
•
Tall tower residential
•
Rooftop – usable, maybe restaurant better on low building (though not always used)
GROUP 2 Concept 1 •
Use parking lot for park
•
Underground parking
•
Needs to be retail / activation (maybe small / kiosks that float in park) – don’t segregate uses
•
Limited vehicular use of 15th street
•
Verizon Plaza – dead space; opportunity for density
•
Courthouse plaza – more open, make retail more visible
•
More density on theater
•
Could County purchase and reuse Verizon building?
•
Make sure some parking? (though there is parking in garage – should be better signed) Concept 2
•
Keep theater – it’s a magnet
•
Concern that height on landmark block will cut off Wilson from public space
•
Move Metro entrance to 15th – transportation hub (taxis, car share, bus, Metro)
•
Put density on South
•
Connect Central Plaza to open space Move metro
Concept 3
o Make people walk above ground •
Open space on Wilson o Visual / Physical connections o Lower scale on this block Concept 4
•
Put tall building on Verizon site
•
Use the roofs as open space / elevated park open to the public
•
Connect roofs Concept 5
•
One to two taller development buildings on square
•
Take into consideration impact on surrounding neighborhoods (height, massing, view impacts)
ARLINGTON COURTHOUSE SQUARE
Page 2 of 4
Cooper, Robertson & Partners Architecture, Urban Design
Memorandum Table 3B (Building Location and Design) Concept 1 – Group 1 •
Solar orientation of the building
•
Closed off walls / enclosures to open space
•
Interactive w/Metro station open – opens into a plaza
•
Eliminate the awkward alley – better to put residential on Court Square west site.
•
Incorporates sign – trees into the plaza
•
Natural light from the theater – keep building low to retain Concept 2
•
Shed open up onto plaza
•
Can be closed in inclement weather – programmed space Concept 3
•
European plazas have low-lying buildings not 16 story
•
Also not a lot of traffic going by plaza
•
Is there $ for programming the plaza
•
General o Height – 8 stories o High – to support transit and density Concept 4
•
Maximize open space
•
Use of roofs – roof top restaurants
•
Can be windy
•
Roof top uses on low buildings surrounding open space
Group 2 Concept 1 •
Quick solution – county purchase Verizon building
•
Maintain easy access for cars for people who don’t have metro access
•
But put all parking underground
•
Small pad sites in open space for food / retail – landscape design issue.
•
Consider 15th Street for no traffic or just buses
•
Open up the retail on Court House Plaza to the square Concept 2
•
Careful about cutting off open space from Clarendon/Wilson Blvd
•
Transportation hub – ART bus / flex car, taxi, metro bus stops.
ARLINGTON COURTHOUSE SQUARE
Page 3 of 4
Cooper, Robertson & Partners Architecture, Urban Design
Memorandum •
CH Plaza retail opened up and open to open space
•
Visual and physical access from Wilson/Clarendon
ARLINGTON COURTHOUSE SQUARE
Page 4 of 4
Memorandum Date
Project
Project number
5/14/14
ARLINGTON COURTHOUSE SQUARE
13028
To
Company
Jason Beske
Arlington County
From
Re
Rob White
04/23 Outreach Event
Copies to
Company
Kris Krider
ACPD
Margaret Rhodes
ACPD
Andrew D’huyvetter
ACPD
William Kenworthey
CRP
Earl Jackson
CRP
Noor Majeed
CRP
TABLE 3A:
Round #1
•
Promenade extending south from Uhle St.
•
Taller building on Court West site with smaller portion pulling forward into public space
•
Small scale development on Verizon corner
•
Consider closing 14th Street
•
Potential County building tower on Strayer site
•
Cap off end of AMC Theater building
•
Cultural / Performance building could sit in the middle or along the open space – could be an object building and more transparent
•
Could build County building over top of theater building
•
Open space should have fountain / water feature
•
Keep new buildings to enclose the open space on all sides
•
Use buildings to mark / terminate prominent views
•
Generally not opposed to height (some reservations from a couple of people).
•
Make sure County building opens to open space and fronts as many directions as possible.
•
Some don’t like idea of very tall building.
•
Max county office square footage (all orange blocks) seems too large
•
Government center vs Civic center
•
Who will go into current County office space? – current office vacancy rates are already high
Round #2
•
Continue to lease County office space – current office vacancy rates are already high
•
Place all new square footage at south end of open space (South of 14th Street and above homeless shelter)
•
Don’t put any new development in current parking lot – should be all open space.
•
Do County offices need to be consolidated? Why not multiple smaller buildings.
•
Don’t want one massive county office building
•
Tall slender tower could help break things up – small footprint
311 West 43 Street New York, New York 10036
Telephone 212 247 1717 Telefax 212 245 0361
www.cooperrobertson.com Limited Liability Partnership
Cooper, Robertson & Partners Architecture, Urban Design
Memorandum •
Both tables like idea of tower on Stayer site.
ARLINGTON COURTHOUSE SQUARE
Page 2 of 2
Cooper, Robertson & Partners Architecture, Urban Design
Memorandum Date
Project
Project number
5/14/14
ARLINGTON COURTHOUSE SQUARE
13028
To
Company
Jason Beske
Arlington County
From
Re
Rob White
04/23 Outreach Event
Copies to
Company
Kris Krider
ACPD
Margaret Rhodes
ACPD
Andrew D’huyvetter
ACPD
William Kenworthey
CRP
Earl Jackson
CRP
Noor Majeed
CRP
3B:
Concept #1 •
Open space o Framed, not sprawling o Framed, safer edges o Interacts with Metro (better if Metro opens into Plaza o Make focal point
•
Residential on Courthouse West
•
Uhle as Pedestrian Plaza
•
Density still accommodated near Metro
•
Don’t make Courthouse Plaza too cavernous Concept #2
•
Retail on open space can open up (shed-like, roll-down doors) and indoor/outdoor plaza – work all year
•
Put height on Courthouse West (no shadow)
•
Europe-like (though doesn’t necessarily work w/tall buildings Concept #3
concern that open space must be programmed!
•
Residential on Verizon site
•
Take advantage of Metro location for density
•
Generous setbacks on plaza facades
•
Small space building on open space
•
3-4 story shed – open; doors open and indoor/outdoor space
•
Height on Court Square West Stress importance of Residential uses (condos important – not just rentals)
311 West 43 Street New York, New York 10036
Telephone 212 247 1717 Telefax 212 245 0361
www.cooperrobertson.com Limited Liability Partnership
Cooper, Robertson & Partners Architecture, Urban Design
Memorandum Concept #4 •
Example – Martin building behind Federal Reserve – one large multi-use space (performance, public)
•
Six stories on Plaza
•
Ground floor activated use
•
Tall tower residential
•
Rooftop – usable, maybe restaurant better on low building (though not always used)
GROUP 2 Concept 1 •
Use parking lot for park
•
Underground parking
•
Needs to be retail / activation (maybe small / kiosks that float in park) – don’t segregate uses
•
Limited vehicular use of 15th street
•
Verizon Plaza – dead space; opportunity for density
•
Courthouse plaza – more open, make retail more visible
•
More density on theater
•
Could County purchase and reuse Verizon building?
•
Make sure some parking? (though there is parking in garage – should be better signed) Concept 2
•
Keep theater – it’s a magnet
•
Concern that height on landmark block will cut off Wilson from public space
•
Move Metro entrance to 15th – transportation hub (taxis, car share, bus, Metro)
•
Put density on South
•
Connect Central Plaza to open space Move metro
Concept 3
o Make people walk above ground •
Open space on Wilson o Visual / Physical connections o Lower scale on this block Concept 4
•
Put tall building on Verizon site
•
Use the roofs as open space / elevated park open to the public
•
Connect roofs Concept 5
•
One to two taller development buildings on square
•
Take into consideration impact on surrounding neighborhoods (height, massing, view impacts)
ARLINGTON COURTHOUSE SQUARE
Page 2 of 4
Cooper, Robertson & Partners Architecture, Urban Design
Memorandum Table 3B (Building Location and Design) Concept 1 – Group 1 •
Solar orientation of the building
•
Closed off walls / enclosures to open space
•
Interactive w/Metro station open – opens into a plaza
•
Eliminate the awkward alley – better to put residential on Court Square west site.
•
Incorporates sign – trees into the plaza
•
Natural light from the theater – keep building low to retain Concept 2
•
Shed open up onto plaza
•
Can be closed in inclement weather – programmed space Concept 3
•
European plazas have low-lying buildings not 16 story
•
Also not a lot of traffic going by plaza
•
Is there $ for programming the plaza
•
General o Height – 8 stories o High – to support transit and density Concept 4
•
Maximize open space
•
Use of roofs – roof top restaurants
•
Can be windy
•
Roof top uses on low buildings surrounding open space
Group 2 Concept 1 •
Quick solution – county purchase Verizon building
•
Maintain easy access for cars for people who don’t have metro access
•
But put all parking underground
•
Small pad sites in open space for food / retail – landscape design issue.
•
Consider 15th Street for no traffic or just buses
•
Open up the retail on Court House Plaza to the square Concept 2
•
Careful about cutting off open space from Clarendon/Wilson Blvd
•
Transportation hub – ART bus / flex car, taxi, metro bus stops.
ARLINGTON COURTHOUSE SQUARE
Page 3 of 4
Cooper, Robertson & Partners Architecture, Urban Design
Memorandum •
CH Plaza retail opened up and open to open space
•
Visual and physical access from Wilson/Clarendon
ARLINGTON COURTHOUSE SQUARE
Page 4 of 4
