Salt Lake:Official development news thread

[delts145]

Originally Posted by Utaaah!

I'm also excited about this project. It isn't tall, and it doesn't meet our need for a convention headquarters hotel, but it replaces a closed convenience store, parking lots, and a rundown motel with a nicer, denser, walkable, multi-use project. I've spent a lot of time in DC, Arlington, VA, and Uptown Dallas recently. These are very happening places, with enviable street activity that is achieved through mid-rise density that engages the street, rather than fortress-like overwhelming highrises. I would prefer to see downtown Salt Lake densify with 5-10 story buildings that absorb existing surface parking lots, than to see a handful of 500-foot towers. This project is a step in the right direction.

Very much agreed Utaaah, Sure, I'm anxious for some new tallest's, with a street-friendly base like the new Hamilton Tower. However, it will be the filling in of gaps by what you have described, that will really create an engaging and vibrant downtown for the future.

[Comrade]

11-stories, in this area, will stand out, which is cool. I mean, it's not tall, but it isn't like there's much height in this area anyway. The tallest building there is the 9-story Red Lion Hotel, so this will make an impact.

[ski_steve]

Utah Museum of Natural History


*sorry, the picture is huge, and I couldnt shrink it.


The Utah Museum of Natural History at the University of Utah unveils the design for its new museum. Architects for the building are Polshek Partnership Architects of New York City and Gillies Stransky Brems Smith Architects (GSBS) of Salt Lake City. Plans released to the public on April 15, 2008.




Sorry the pics are so massive. There are three more on the website, I didnt want to overload too much. Also there is more info there.


http://www.umnh.utah.edu/presskit

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[NYC Rick]

That download was painful to watch. Fantastic building though.

[delts145]

Well, It looks like Salt Lake City is gaining another architectural landmark. This is fantastic! Very exciting. This will be a great project to follow in the forum. Thanks for the heads-up Steve.

I liked this description of the exterior materials,



Through its forms and materials, the building is conceived as an abstract extension and transformation of the land. Its material quality roots the building in the landscape by recalling Utah’s geological and mineralogical history and expressing the design as natural form. Board-formed concrete at the base makes the transition from the earth to the manmade. Copper panels constitute the skin of the building extending from the building’s volume at angles that reference the geophysical processes that created the metal. The importance of this precious metal throughout human history makes powerful connections to the narrative and educational mission of the museum, and the site’s proximity to the Kennecott Copper Mine across the valley and the use of this local material reinforces the museum’s connection to its context. The standing seam copper façade is articulated in horizontal bands of various heights to emulate geological stratification on the building skin. Small amounts of copper alloys, such as copper-zinc and copper-tin, enhance the subtle variegation of the copper’s natural patina. Combined in a dynamic interplay with the concrete of the building’s base, these materials display the character of the museum from all vantage points, visible not only from the main building approach, but from the hiking trails above the city below.

updated Trib. article

Architect Todd Schliemann designs landmark museum for Utah

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_9270231?source=rv



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[RFPCME]

Originally Posted by Comrade Reynolds

11-stories, in this area, will stand out, which is cool. I mean, it's not tall, but it isn't like there's much height in this area anyway. The tallest building there is the 9-story Red Lion Hotel, so this will make an impact.

Couldn't agree more. That area is on the edge of becoming a blight. If this project happens according to plans, it would stabilize the largest entry point to downtown.

[delts145]

Demolition is eyesore in Sugar House

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700226493,00.html?linkTrack=rotator:cvr&promoID=5148


Debris from a stalled demolition mars the eastern portion of the Granite Furniture block in Sugar House at 2100 South and Highland Drive. (Ravell Call, Deseret News)


A crater marks site of building demolition in Sugar House. The unsightliness has spurred complaints. (Ravell Call, Deseret News)

In January, Craig Mecham Investments began demolishing buildings at the site in preparation to build two seven-story buildings with a mix of retail, office and residential space.

Mecham used what Simonsen calls a loophole in the approval process for demolitions that allows developers to submit a landscaping plan and begin work while the project continues along the path to final approval.


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[delts145]

Museum to mimic Utah's landscape

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700226474,00.html


An artist's conception depicts the west elevation of the new Utah Museum of Natural History. (Polshek Partnership Architects LLP And GSBS Architects)

The new Utah Museum of Natural History at the Rio Tinto Center will be nestled along the shoreline of the ancient Lake Bonneville in the University of Utah's Research Park. It is intended to mimic the landscape. Construction begins this summer.

Polshek Partnership Architects LLP of New York City and Salt Lake City-based Gillies Stransky Brems Smith Architects are hoping the facility they have designed will have minimal disruptions to the natural environment — while still preserving popular running and hiking trails nearby.

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[jedikermit]

I've been wondering about that museum for a while now--when it was first announced, they said they were going to try to work with the terrain and minimize the impact to the foothills. Very interesting building, and it sounds like the museum itself will be a great addition to SLC. If this upgrade to the Natural History Museum is as great a jump as the planetarium took when it moved locations, or the Children's Museum when it moved, this will be fantastic.

[JCarp]

The location looks like it is sharing the access road to the Botanical Gardens.

Can anyone confirm this?

[SLCforme]

yes that is the case. They stated that they want a synergistic effect with Red Butte Gardens. They have also promised to keep access open to the Bonneville shoreline trail, and they had better, as I jog through that area a couple times a week. I love the design though. Honestly, this is the type of design we need to see more of, that is, taking the surrounding environment into account in the presentation of the building. The multi-shaded copper panels will play well with the red butte behind it and break up the large roof so it is less imposing. Honestly, it is a great design, I hope the final product is what we are seeing in these renderings

[WASDEN]

They can spin it anyway they like but I'd rather have pristine scrub oak to jog past than a museum design that should have died with the 70s. I'll bet they'll even have an exibit featuring vanishing foothill ecosystems and the wild life that could be found there.

Will the school buses be able to find it at that location?

[urbane]

Originally Posted by WASDEN

They can spin it anyway they like but I'd rather have pristine scrub oak to jog past than a museum design that should have died with the 70s. I'll bet they'll even have an exibit featuring vanishing foothill ecosystems and the wild life that could be found there.

Will the school buses be able to find it at that location?

Agreed, I think the design is mediocre at best. It is not accessible by anything but car (or bus). It could have easily been built in a more urban area. But Utahn's always choose new over old, including new undeveloped foothills over older established areas. Lets let the mountains be the mountains and the city be the city. If the building is required to blend in to the landscape maybe it shouldn't be there at all. Making it blend in seems like an apology. I think a building like this should be a proud statement, not something that blends in to the landscape so that it goes unnoticed.

Pretty sad.

[Viperlord]

downtown marketplace selection sites....

http://www.downtownslc.com/pdf/final-report-salt-lake-city-2008-04.pdf

[Viperlord]

I wonder if this will ever happen....

Public Safety Plaza
- Located on 5 acres (1/2 a city block)
- Downtown Salt Lake City
- Comprised of 3 facilities
Public Safety Building
Emergency Operations Center
Public Safety Parking Structure









Salt Lake City
Public Safety Building
The Public Safety Facilities Plan identifies current and future needs to support the comprehensive delivery of police and fire services throughout the city. The programmed facilities include a 125,000 sq. ft. Public Safety Building, a 25,000 sq. ft. Emergency Operations Center, a 44,000 sq. ft. combined Police and Fire Public Safety Center, and a 46,000 sq. ft. Fire Training Facility. These facilities will replace aging facilities throughout the city and maintain the symbiotic relationship that the police and fire departments share within the city.

The facilities are planned to obtain a LEED Gold Certification, and include environmental features such as natural daylighting, natural ventilation, photovoltaic cells, a green roof, recyclable and localized materials, and shaded and wind-protected courtyards.

[urbanboy]

Originally Posted by delts145

This should be located downtown... perhaps with a different design.

[anyiliang]

I agree that it should be located downtown. They can also keep the same kind of design. Kind of like how the LSD Conference center was designed.

[PandaUte]

The location identified in the press release makes sense because the land is owned and operated by the University of Utah. Operating costs will be assumed by the University when construction is complete; not to mention the University is doing most of the private fundraising.

Yes, downtown would be ideal; but the Bonneville shoreline location makes sense both economically and logistically. In this case, the State will take what it can get . . .

Personally, I kind of dig the design.

[Comrade]

Originally Posted by Viperlord

I wonder if this will ever happen....

Public Safety Plaza
- Located on 5 acres (1/2 a city block)
- Downtown Salt Lake City
- Comprised of 3 facilities
Public Safety Building
Emergency Operations Center
Public Safety Parking Structure









Salt Lake City
Public Safety Building
The Public Safety Facilities Plan identifies current and future needs to support the comprehensive delivery of police and fire services throughout the city. The programmed facilities include a 125,000 sq. ft. Public Safety Building, a 25,000 sq. ft. Emergency Operations Center, a 44,000 sq. ft. combined Police and Fire Public Safety Center, and a 46,000 sq. ft. Fire Training Facility. These facilities will replace aging facilities throughout the city and maintain the symbiotic relationship that the police and fire departments share within the city.

The facilities are planned to obtain a LEED Gold Certification, and include environmental features such as natural daylighting, natural ventilation, photovoltaic cells, a green roof, recyclable and localized materials, and shaded and wind-protected courtyards.

Ugh, these are terrible designs. They look like throw-away architecture.

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by Viperlord

I wonder if this will ever happen....

Public Safety Plaza
- Located on 5 acres (1/2 a city block)
- Downtown Salt Lake City
- Comprised of 3 facilities
Public Safety Building
Emergency Operations Center
Public Safety Parking Structure

God can't they built something more then 2-stories.