Comments on: A Proposal for a Historic Café Building

By: Ann Roberts

Ann Roberts — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:57:40 +0000

This design really highlights the tie with the dynamite factory. We talked, at the last meeting, about a name for the plaza and several of us thought that Dynamite Plaza (something with that kind of reference) was appropriate in this location – it makes sense for this location to be the industrial reference, others will reflect the environmental and Native American past.

I like this design, Mike. I especially like the large overhang of the roof and the arbor. The arbor is an excellent addition, as the afternoon sun will be very intense in the courtyard. The only time it is warm, here, is between 4-8 pm, the time of the setting sun, so shelter will be appreciated then.

I think that this is a very important building, as it is really the most prominent building on the site. It needs to look GREAT!

By: Jeffrey Wisniewski

Jeffrey Wisniewski — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:13:54 +0000

I think that black and white highlights the simplicity of an idea, a concept. We get lost in the details of a color rendering. We see the forest, but not the different types of trees.

By: Mike Bowermaster

Mike Bowermaster — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:36:44 +0000

@Shelley Salinero - You're right about the current modern design reflecting and calling attention to the worst aspects of the main station. @gerard - Interesting thoughts about architectural rendering and presentation styles. I've had an article that needs to be written on this topic bouncing around my head for some time now. I feel in the early conceptual stage, loose freehand grey-toned pencil drawings are much more effective at generating discussion about various design possibilities. Contrast this with hard-edged computer simulations which lock the creative process into one finished solution long before the project has been effectively designed or explored. @Phil Simmons - A very valid opinion. The waterfront and a good portion of the lower Refugio Creek watershed is composed of literally hundreds of historic and traditional buildings. We are principally defined by the traditional architecture of Bayside, Baywood, Promenade, the company homes, the administration building, the clubhouse, the old post office, the old police station, the old Queen Anne, the notorious Civic Arts building, and the Railroad Avenue liveworks. I agree that the cafe is best as a design that is historic and traditional in nature. @Dave - I appreciate your analysis and enthusiasm, good points. For the record, this sketch was done only with the intent to help facilitate a solution that is what the end users want, above all else.

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:49:40 +0000

Mike, I like your homage to old train sheds! I think it is very appropriate and even fun for it’s location. The more modern train platform design doesn’t necessarily scream “train” but having a small hint of train in the immediate area is a very fun idea!

I can appreciate Phil’s idea of the design playing directly off the old generator building, but I don’t think there needs to be a very literal interpretation of that structure. I think that the old generator building and old train sheds have enough in common stylistically that a design could be achieved where there are hints of both styles. I think it would be really fun to be able to look at the cafe building and say “oh ya! there’s a hint of the old generator building there, but it looks like kind of like a train shed too!”

I like your idea of the cart tracks too! More fun hints of the past! I’m not really a fan of the tracks going up and over the benches though. That idea kind of breaks the allusion for me…

Thanks so much for the effort and passion that you bring on an ongoing basis!

-Dave

By: Phil Simmons

Phil Simmons — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:22:19 +0000

The design you have drawn is a nice design but though it my have elements reflecting historic train stations it doesn’t reflect historic Hercules. That is one of the reasons I have hoped to see a design with the elements of the old generator plant. That design certainly reflects historic Hercules and it does so in two ways.
1. The Hercules Powder Company in fact had a building that looked like the old generator plant…it was the old generator plant.
2. The style of that plant reflects many industrial building around the bay and around the country.
Also, its elements offer opportuniy for a solar roof and a hugh amount of sky lighting. It is also a design that can incorporate brick, glass, and steel to reflect the industrial elemnts of the Waterfront Initiative.
So, now matter how nice some other building design may look I am firmly in favor of a design fashioned from the old generator plant. Nothing else will do!

By: gerard

gerard — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:30:18 +0000

It’s difficult to imagine the look of your structure from a B&W drawing, however I like the historical references and appreciate your effort and commitment to the Bayfront area.
If the city will consider your concept, then I hope the “dynamite concept” will be even more extended to the architecture itself and of course to the outside/inside decoration.

By: Shelley Salinero

Shelley Salinero — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:21:45 +0000

I like it. I hope you have success in getting the attention of the city. I like the cart track idea. The other idea blends too much with the larger building and doesn’t stand out on its own. This is a nice blend of historic looking but not old.