Comments on: In Search of a Defining Café Building

By: Ann Roberts

Ann Roberts — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:47:00 +0000

It seems a very reasonable, and architecturally easy job, to include the restrooms at the end of the Cafe Building. Stand alone looks funky and out of place. I also liked Mike’s alternative design drawing for the cafe. It’s not a lot different from the architect’s drawings, but has more “style” – is more interesting. It is the building that will have the most presence on the property, so I think it’s worth putting some extra work and classy design into

By: A Proposal for a Historic Café Building — Waterfront Watch

A Proposal for a Historic Café Building — Waterfront Watch — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 03:24:04 +0000

[...] of the area? Why is the actual three-dimensional cafe building itself not taking advantage of historic Hercules, train stations, or more generally, cafes? This key corner building on the plaza needs to reflect the historic waterfront, like I hoped to [...]

By: David Smith

David Smith — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:01:54 +0000

I completeley agree with your observations and suggestions MIke. I would love it if the cafe was very reminescent in style to an old train shed. I don’t think this approach would distract in any way from the main train platform building. I would also like to see the restrooms relocated to a less prominent place.

Thanks!

Dave

By: Waterfront Watch » A Findings of Fact on the Café Building

Waterfront Watch » A Findings of Fact on the Café Building — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:20:33 +0000

[...] I would like to say that this is another misstep by the design team — a failure to incorporate historical context and signature aspects into the cafe building — however it is the same step they had taken previously. And there is little more that I, or others that spoke about the design’s misfortunes during the workshop, can do to change course (apparently), to make the design better. [...]

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:45:59 +0000

This is a good analysis. I hope that you will present it at a future Planning Commission meeting.

By: Hugh Metcalf

Hugh Metcalf — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 06:54:00 +0000

Hi, A very interesting architectural tour!!!!

By: Wade Albritton

Wade Albritton — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 14:49:13 +0000

Unable to attend Monday’s meeting. Would opine that all designs show the solar panels in place. They will make a huge visual impact on any building style that will be chosen. Showing the building with a unique roof treatment and then swapping out for one with standard solar panels yields a complete different feel for the structure.

Prefer to have the restrooms incorporated into the building structure with egress through the cafe and from outside of the building to accommodate passengers when the cafe is closed.

My father worked for the railroad his whole life. As children we always used this mode of transportation. The pictures of the old train stations brought back very fond memories. Would love to see if some of the styles shown could be incorporated into the building. The large over hanging roof line would serve the public well as they wait for their rides to come at the adjacent pick/drop off site.

Good luck on the discussions.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 06:08:13 +0000

Thanks for the pictures and perspective. I would like to see more options presented by the architect and more discussion from the community on the final design.

I tend to think the restrooms should be visible from everywhere. Hiding the restrooms out of sight means less security and more opportunity for vandals.

Lisa Simmons

By: Phil Simmons

Phil Simmons — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 17:36:15 +0000

I favor the design that has the gabled roof with the raised clearstory. This would be a great representation of the industrial history of the Hercules Powder Company. At one time, a few years ago, it was hoped by many that the old generator plant on the point would be left standing and remodeled. It had this same roof design. I heard speculations of it being a restaurant or pub. Of course it was probably an impossible or impractical restoration. Solar panels could be incorporated into the roof even with the raised lites. The raised clerestory from the inside would offer extra light and openness. For even more openness the walls could incorporate lots of glass supported by steel beams with corners of arched brick. This industrial design would certainly meet the reguirements established in the Waterfront Initiative Master Plan and also share the glass and frame design of the train platform.