here's something
KETTNER
San Diego CA, USA - 2013
The proposed development consists of a 36 story concrete residential tower with 285 units surrounded by a four to five level podium above four levels of underground parking. A soaring roof form emerges from an inner textured glass core of the tower. The roof form repeats on a detached two storey residential amenity building on Level 4. This folded form, along with the frames of the podium elevation is a theme continued throughout the project on different scales from lighting and paving to trellis elements. A public greenspace and large public art component is planned for A Street which is proposed to be closed. 11,550 s.f. Commercial/retail space with its related 10,050 s.f. parking/accessory functions dominates the ground floor along Ash Street and Kettner Boulevard which will have residential and parking uses above. A generous residential tower entrance plaza has been carved out of the Kettner street wall to provide a tranquil, green and sheltered entrance for residents and guests of the 563,400 gsf residential component. A strong street wall along Kettner is provided by the tower as well as the detached amenity building, with varying podium heights of 42’ to 67’ around the project. Three levels of above grade parking are concealed within the articulated podium on the south side of the block. Other elements such as balconies, planters, and green walls have been introduced around the parking to create many pause points for the eye and opportunities to continue the green theme with planting. A continuous steel trellis is proposed along California Street along the transit corridor, providing pedestrians with planted vine cover above and green walls beside. The trellis tilts up at the corner of A Street to respect the higher trellis element in the adjacent development, and further along, it tilts up to signify the back entrance to the tower. All vehicles will enter the project mid block from Kettner Blvd. Thirteen commercial parking spaces will be on grade behind the retail at the south end of the Kettner block, and residents will continue through to ramps up or down to access their 518 stalls. Two loading bays are provided within the project, and commercial and residential trash is proposed to be accessed from within the project. Landscaping plays an important role on the ground plane as well as up the podium. A large resort style pool deck on Level 4 is overlooked by a two story amenity building housing fitness and lounge facilities. This independent building is served by the tower and is accessed from Level 4, as well as by a roof deck on Level 5. All common areas of the project have large numbers of planters, green vertical planted walls, and trellises. Public plazas have been introduced at the corners of Ash & Kettner Blvd., as well as A Street and Kettner Blvd., which provide additional space for potential restaurant/café uses. The existing electrical transformers in the middle of A Street are proposed to remain. To enhance the area, the transformers will be screened with a 3d mesh green screen system, the street is proposed to be closed, with limited access for utility maintenance only, and the area turned into a public greenspace with upgraded paving, seating and lighting. The closing of the street presents an opportunity for a major Public Art statement, and we will coordinate this project with the overall public art master plan. The concept of the podium is painted concrete frames of varying thickness, in which are different materials such as stone, glass, or green screen mesh. All levels of the podium are proposed to receive stone accents within the painted concrete frames, either in a cream colored bush hammered limestone, or a smooth, honed texture reddish brown limestone. Above the ground floor, three colors of painted concrete will be used to complement the stone and glazing. Blue-gray glass with medium gray colored mullions is proposed for the main body of the tower, while the accents at the top most levels will have beige mullions. The tower accents are proposed to be created with beige spandrels of two levels in height in alternating widths and locations, composed of a patterned glass with a 70% dot pattern. Ground floor retail and lobby spaces will have clear glass in curtain wall framing. The large overhanging concrete roof structures are proposed to be pierced in a pattern to compliment the beige textured glass. Night time views towards the tower will be enlivened by a lit rooftop greenscreen which surrounds the rooftop mechanical functions. This signature building is designed to be a landmark at the gateway to the downtown core, enhance pedestrian life and to be a positive addition to the neighborhood.