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The San Dieguito River Park has created this blog to receive comments and encourage discussion about the design of the proposed San Dieguito Lagoon Center, to be located in the City of San Diego, south of Via de la Valle and east of San Andres. The concept plans are being designed by RNT Architects and Spurlock-Poirier Landscape Architects. Review the plans at http://www.sdrp.org and then comment. Funding for this phase of design is from the Sempra Foundation.
About the San Dieguito River Park
- San Dieguito River Park
- A local government agency that was formed in 1989 by the County of San Diego and the Cities of Del Mar, Escondido, Poway, Solana Beach and San Diego to create a natural open space park in the San Dieguito River Valley, extending from the river's source on Volcan Mountain to the river's mouth at Del Mar, a distance of 55 miles. The San Dieguito River Park goals are the preservation and interpretation of the natural and cultural resources of the valley. An important goal is the creation of the Coast to Crest Trail, for hikers, bicyclists and equestrians, the entire distance of the San Dieguito River. For more information, see http://www.sdrp.org
Comments by Subject
- 3D Display of River Valley (1)
- Amphitheater (1)
- Form follows function (1)
- Friends of SDRV (1)
- Interactive Science Programs (1)
- Modern Style Design (1)
- Multiple issues (1)
- outdoor uses (1)
- Post New Comments Here (1)
- Reduce size and hardscape (1)
- Security Issues (1)
- Shade and Foliage (1)
- Solar Photovoltaic panels (1)
- Watershed Model (1)
- We don't want Taj Mahal (1)
Site Plan
Upper Level Plan
Lower Level Plan
Egret and Heron at Lagoon
Photo by Jeanie Anderson
San Dieguito Lagoon
Photo by Jeanie Anderson
Attendees
Attendees at July 17-19 Design Open House
Addition to my comments after a few days of 90 degree weather.
ReplyDeleteWe were discussing the Center at home and remembered that there will be no air-conditioning. We looked at the plans and realized that this structure would be like a greenhouse in hot weather. All the glass facing south west would make it very uncomfortable as well as glaring. We do not want to have air-conditioning for energy efficiency reasons but the architect should consider summer use and adjust the plans accordingly.
Freda
I am trying, unsuccessfully again, to wrap my brain around the plans for the Nature Center. I cannot get too involved in the size of this and the view from that and the area of these and use of those. I am prepared to respect the expertise of the architects and planners on all of those bread-and-butter aspects of the building. I know they have consulted a zillion people and incorporated every idea into their plans. My problem is that I just don't LIKE it. I find it sharp and intrusive and prickly.
ReplyDeleteSorry if that isn't specific enough. I feel that a building has to match its surroundings and make a pleasing hole in the sky. The Nature Center does not meet my standards on these two basic issues. But I am not one, in this case at least, to force my standard on others. And I never expected it to be one of the great architectural gems of the nation. But I did hope....... And why not?
I was hoping for something that would evoke the sinuous, meandering nature of a river. This is a Visitor Center for a river park, but you'd never know it. If you picked it up and moved it hundreds or thousands of miles away, would anyone say: "Take this away, it belongs in a river park." I don't think so.
Mary
BATHROOMS: I think that there should be 3, unisex/family bathrooms, all of which could be equipped with a small countertop for diaper changes. I am a mom (and therefore also a woman) and this is the best use of the space and will avoid lines.
ReplyDeleteSCIENCE CLASSROOM: There should be windows in the Science Classroom. It is inspiring to younger students to see scientists at work, whether they be adult professionals or high school students. These windowed areas are always the best part of any museum, aquarium, etc.
PUBLIC SPACE RENTAL: I think that stakeholders should be presented with whatever financial information is available regarding revenue from space rental for private group meetings and receptions, and given a chance to fully discuss the benefits and disadvantages of such uses, knowing what the potential revenue could be.
Lastly, I do not think that the design is cold or sterile (relating to the last comment). I think it is appropriate and well-designed; a lovely building! Any money spent to improve the aesthetics is money better-spent on other, more important priorities.
First, let me applaud the SDRP for the very thorough and open process for getting public input, both at the open house sessions in July and the opportunity to express our opinions in blogs on the SDRP web site. However, I share the concerns that many others have expressed about the scale of the project, especially the size of the main building(s) not being consistent with one of the design goals: "minimizing indoor program and maximizing outdoor program".
ReplyDeleteOne aspect is mentioned in passing but needs to be given more weight in the design of the lagoon center: "The site is an important portal to the river valley".
In fact, it will probably be the MOST important portal because of the large population of potential users along the coast, easy access (as is noted) from the I-5 freeway and, for all practical purposes, will be the western end of the 55 mile long Crest-to-Coast Trail. (True, the trail will continue another mile or so out to the beach at the river mouth but parking there is already overwhelmed with beach goers. Also, bicycles and horses will not be permitted on the part of the trail west of the lagoon center.)
The Torrey Pines State Reserve, located south of Del Mar, has many of the same attractions that will be available in the lagoon area of the river park - trails, views and a Lodge staffed by Docent volunteers who provide information and that has exhibits of the animals and plants in the Reserve. A significant percent (possibly a majority?) of visitors go there only to exercise, mostly running or walking on the trails. Future use patterns of the lagoon area are likely to be the same.
Therefore, any lagoon center planing should provide for:
1. Adequate parking for BOTH users coming for activities at the visitor center AND for those using the trails at the same time.
2. A shaded kiosk meeting place with benches, bike racks, water fountain and trail map displays.
3. Adequate width of the trails to allow runners and bikers to pass, without crowding, slower walkers and those quietly enjoying the lagoon environment.
Stu
CONCLUSION
ReplyDeleteThe proposed San Dieguito Lagoon Center is massive and needs to be revised.
SUGGESTIONS
The San Dieguito Lagoon Center should be sited as close as possible to the lagoon property line adjacent to Via de la Valle.
I understand that traffic noise is an issue, but habitat comes first. The rest is engineering for sound.
The Exhibit Space where rangers meet the public should be the only space with views of the lagoon.
Community rooms, science research laboratories, ranger offices, and storage lockers should be below ground. Possibly in the berm behind the building. The important point is to minimize habitat loss to construction.
All buildings, decking, and hard-scape should be as small as possible.
The footprint of the project as proposed is approximately the size of a football field: 300 feet by 150 feet not including parking. It should be reduced to150 feet by 75 feet, approximately. The building should be cut into the side of the hill to minimize is impact on the environment, and all meeting rooms, storage lockers, and offices spaces should be placed below the viewing deck or below ground.
The one and only viewing deck should be on the roof of the San Dieguito Lagoon Center.
The roof of the building should be the only viewing area. No other decking is necessary.
The structure and its roof-top viewing area should not be visible the street.
The Cooling Chimney should be obscured by vegetation.
The Ranger Garage/Maintenance building should be as close to Via de la Valle as possible.
It should be as below ground as possible to maintain functionality. Porous concrete should be used as appropriate, and all decisions to not use porous concrete should be clearly explained and presented for public review
There should be nature (no hard-scape) tree-shaded areas for day-use groups to meet.
All parking should be as far from the structure as feasible.
An area for handicap pick-up and drop-off but not parking should be near the building.
Ed
Hoping for something that would evoke the sinuous, meandering nature of a river.
ReplyDeletehow to generate real estate leads