Agenda - Planning Commission - 07/09/2015 - Work Session

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Ramsey Town Center Development Guidelines 7 Architecture Overview High quality architecture is an essential component in fulfilling the objectives of the Master Plan. Rather than prescribing a particular style, these architectural guidelines are intended to encourage an integration of both traditional and contemporary design. Architectural designs should provide a consistent quality, measured, to a great degree, by the pedestrian experience along the street and by an architectural expression that provides character without being thematic, obtrusive, or artificial. Architectural character should strive to be authentic and varied, but not `thematic'. Guideline Recommendations Of all the layers that combine to form the Ramsey Town Center Master Plan, architecture will typically be the most prominent development component. Both visually and physically, architecture will play a major role in defining the overall design character and mix of uses for the Town Center. It is crucial that the design and location of buildings address these architectural guidelines, with specific emphasis on the following: • Promote an animated street presence with a mix of street -level uses, interesting building facades, many doors and windows on the street, careful design of lighting, awnings, signage and other elements that animate the pedestrian experience • Promote variety in building design, character and expression; not one theme or building style, but a thoughtful integration of many design solutions • Promote a variety of building types including a range of height, scale and proportion, that support an integrated mix of housing options, shopping destinations, entertainment venues, civic structures and other Town Center uses • Encourage the use of high quality materials, suggesting a preference toward native materials and masonry elements, with respect for local building techniques • Building location is as important as building style; special architectural elements, character, transparency and a higher level of materials and detailing should be used to highlight key streets (corridors) and important crossroads (nodes) throughout the Town Center • Buildings should always be located at all four corners of intersections Examples Providing a creative mix of building types, scales and expressions are critical objectives to be met — photographs on this page (and throughout these guidelines) suggest some of the many possibilities.