140211 kroboth_johnson_conceptual options for lcc

8/11/2019 140211 Kroboth_Johnson_Conceptual Options for LCC

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11 February 2014

Loudoun CountyDepartment of Transportation & Capital Infrastructure209 Gibson Street, NWSuite 100, MS #64Leesburg, Virginia 20176

Attn: Joseph Kroboth, Director DTCI

Cc: Sandy Hunter, AIA, LEED AP

Re: Lovettsville Community Center - Conceptual Exterior Design Options

Mr. Kroboth:

LSY is pleased to be working with Loudoun County on the design of the new LovettsvilleCommunity Center. We have been a part of this effort from the early efforts in early 2011 whenthe County Board tagged this community center as needing an upgrade to serve citizens of allphysical abilities. At that time we were tasked in evaluating the code deficiencies of the existingbuilding and ADA / Accessibility barriers of the existing Lovettsville Community Center. Due tothe numerous levels of the existing Center, the strategies to renovate the center were complexand expensive. The end result would serve all citizens but the amount of funding would notsubstantially improve the programs and future life cycle of the Center. Based on that analysis,Paul Brown directed us to evaluate the feasibility and cost of designing a new community centeron the site.

As we evaluated the entire site and how to best use the land, we felt it was important toreinforce the street edge on the south side of the site with a new building. Siting a building inthat location also allowed the new building to provide a signature Gateway to the Town ofLovettsville from the East. The entrance to the Town from the East currently does not havesignage, presence nor a sense of arriving. Through various explorations and charrettesessions with LC, PRCS and the Center leadership, we focused the new construction option onthis area of the site.

In preparing the exterior concepts for LC we wanted to provide LC with a wide variety ofarchitectural expressions for this Gateway to the Town of Lovettsville. Since there have beenvery few new buildings built in the Town of Lovettsville in recent years we wanted to explore arange of architectural language for discussion, that would help us develop the appropriate visionfor LC and the Town.

I have compiled a list of the arguments for and against each scheme below, to facilitate yourreview and choice:


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Option A A Community HomePros:

1. It is a familiar architectural language that would blend into the vernacular.2. The exterior clapboard detailing is immediately adjacent to the site on the existing

housing and therefore blends into the streetscape.

Cons:

1. The concrete/wood clapboard & detailing will have to be painted on a regular basisincreasing maintenance over the building life cycle2. This type of construction does not typically have a 50-year life-cycle.3. The Community Center would not be noticeable as a civic building, nor be landmark in

the Town.4. The Community Center would not create a distinctive Gateway to the Town from the

East.5. The majority of construction costs for this option go into creating a gabled roof and

therefore are in attic space and overhangs.6. This option may be perceived as a residential facility or a building with a shorter lifespan

than 50 years.

Option B Contemporary FusionPros:1. The masonry exterior units are durable and require very low, to no maintenance.2. The Community Center will be perceived as a civic building.3. The use of red brick and the window proportions in the articulation of the facades is a

contemporary expression of the original Community Center building.Cons:

1. The language of the building is similar to the elementary school and therefore could because confusion for first-time visitors.

2. The community center would not serve as an iconic, landmark building for LC or theTown.

Option C A Sculpture in the ParkPros:1. The Community Center would be an iconic, landmark building and a Gateway into the

Town of Lovettsville from the East, via E. Broadway and Milltown Road.2. The Community Center will be perceived as an iconic sculpture in the fields of Loudoun

County3. The sculptural nature of this option will pair well with the new passive side of the

Lovettsville Park that LC is designing directly across the street. It will help to define thisarea of Town with other County amenities: trails, community gardens, equestrian ring,dog off-leash areas, pool, preschool & playground.

4. The Community Center will be perceived as a civic building.5. The monumental walls of the lobby will easily accommodate artistic panels retelling the

local history of the Town, site and notable townspeople.6. The masonry exterior units are durable and require very low, to no maintenance.7. Due to the iconic, sculptural language of this option, it would be more desirable as a

backdrop for rentals: weddings and celebrations. Increased rentals would bringadditional revenue into the community.

8. The design will introduce young children to contemporary architectural design andgreen building practices, which may inspire some children to pursue careersengineering and architecture, thus supporting the national focus on STEM education.


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9. This option reflects contemporary German architectural design connecting withLovettsville German heritage.

Cons:1. The contemporary architectural language of the Community Center is not currently

present in Lovettsville and therefore may be perceived as unfamiliar.

I hope this list will be helpful in your evaluation of the schemes. I am available at yourconvenience to discuss each in further detail. Please do not hesitate to call, so that we canschedule a time to meet.

We are excited to be a part of this project and look forward to the opening of the newCommunity Center that will serve the residents of the Town of Lovettsville for the next 50 years!

Sincerely,

Heather K. Johnson, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+CPrincipal

Att: Option A, B, C, presented 2-6-14

140211 kroboth_johnson_conceptual options for lcc

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