facade design guide

7/29/2019 Facade Design Guide

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/facade-design-guide 1/19

F A ç A d e

d e S i g N

g u i d e

C f M n n a s

G e a t S t e e t s



F a ç a d e D e s i g n G u i d e • C i t y o M i n n e a p o l i s G r e a t S t r e e t s

W e l C o

M e

1

AA wlcoming, eye-catching

storeront sends a positive message to

potential customers and draws them

into your business to spend their

money. This guide provides some

suggestions and ideas or storeront

improvements that will help your

building to market your business.

This design guide provides ideas

to stimulate thinking. It is not

a substitute or a proessional

designer. The guide is a companion

piece to the City o Minneapolis

Great Streets Façade Improvement

Program. As such, it ocuses on basic

açade elements that are eligible or

unding through the program.

C o N t e N t SplANNiNg AheAd

2FAçAde eleMeNtS 4

deCorAtive detAilS 6

MAteriAlS & Color 8

WiNdoWS & doorS 10

AWNiNgS & CANopieS 12

SigNS 14

l ightiNg 16



C i t y o M i n n e a p o l i s G r e a t S t r e e t s • F a ç a d e D e s i g n G u i d e

1

p l A

N N i N g

A h e A d

2

Evalate te blg’s

appeaace a sgs

What is unique about your

building and the nearby businesses

that you can enhance?

How can you emphasize what you like

best about the building and area?

How can you enhance what

your business has to oer?

t h i N k i N g o F

i M p r o v i N g y o u r

S t o r e F r o N t ?




3 42

p l A

N N i N g

A h e A d

3

Ceck a pefm

pyscal mateace

The payo or even the simplest repairs

should not be underestimated. It is

important to psv th valu o

a building by repairing any damage

when it occurs and by keeping a regular

maintenance schedule. I repairs or

maintenance are needed, they should be

accomplished beore or simultaneously

with other açade improvements.

It is the responsibility o the building

and business owners to maintain their

buildings in good repair. Cracked

windows, peeling paint, and burned-

out lights all diminish the proessional

image and pedestrian appeal o a

business district. Well-maintained

buildings express pride and care and

enhance a district’s economic viability.

Lk t pesevg stc

actectal style a feates

When planning a storeront remodeling

project, keep in mind the history o your

building and that o neighboring buildings.

Storeronts are oten modied over time

to refect dierent architectural styles

or accommodate new uses. Be cautious

about altering the original character o

an historic building or removing unique

eatures that make your building stand out.

Owners o potentially historically

signicant structures should seek

proessional design assistance to

maintain the historic integrity o

the building when undertaking any

projects beyond minor repair.

Check the City o Minneapolis website

at www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/hpc/

landmarks to see i your building is

a local ly designated historic landmark or within an historic district.

Ctact Cty ffces t

eteme pemttg ees

Keep in mind that City o Minneapolis

permits are required or most construction

projects. City regulations qui some o

the ideas listed as encouraged in this guide

and pohibit some o the discouraged

elements. City regulations are dierent

or historic properties and change

rom one zoning district to another.

While the City can issue many permits

in a ew days or weeks, there are some

circumstances where it can take longer

to obtain permits. Be sure to check on

which permits you will need early in

the process. It is vital that business and

building owners work with City Zoning

sta on designs and obtain all necessary

permits bo beginning work. Call 311

i you have questions regarding permitting

processes. All contractors who work inthe City must be licensed and insured.




S

F A ç

A d e e l

e M e N t S

4




F A ç

A d e e l

e M e N t S

5




d e C o r A t i v e d e t A i

l S

6

AActectal style, character, and

details make a statement about your

building and your business. Distinctive

architectural details such as a classic stoneor metal cornice or pilaster, or a modern

hint at these elements dene the top and

edge o the building and provide visual

interest. Architectural details add to the

character and distinctiveness o a building

and indicate to customers that you value

your building and their experience.BeOre

Th aluminum siding on th spoting goods sto

concals th uniqu achitctual dtails and

conic o th building. This is discouagd.

ATer

rstoing th oiginal stoont

acad opns up a businss to

th stt and pdstians.




d e C o r A t i v e d e t A i

l S

7

E n C o u r A G E d

• Replacing missing, deteriorated, or

damaged architectural details, when

possible, with one that closely matches the

original in appearance and materials• Preserving historic details and materials

• Dening building edges and main

entrances with architectural details that

are sensitive to the building scale, historic

character, and customer experience

• Changes over time are evidence o the

history and development o a building, they

may have acquired signicance in theirown right, to be recognized and respected

• Dening the edges o the building

• Check with City o Minnapolis Planning

and Zoning (call 311) beore removing

decorative details rom a building

d i S C o u r A G E d

• Covering, obscuring, or removing cornices,

trim, or other architectural details

• Alterations that have no historical basis and

which seek to create a alse historic appearance




M A t

e r i A l S

&

C o l o

r

8

Ddable materials such as brick,

stucco, and stone are oten the

exterior walls o commercial

buildings and imply longevity and

stability. Residential buildings

are oten covered with clapboard,

wood, or aluminum or vinyl siding.

These materials can seem out o

place on a commercial building.

For brick and stone repair, use a

mortar similar in color and textureto the original and one designed

or the building and environmental

conditions. The wrong mortar could

expand or contract too severely,

cracking the brick or stone.

Beore repainting, all peeling or

loose paint must be completely

removed and all exposed areas

primed. It is also important to hire a

proessional to conduct lead testing

and abate all lead-based paint.

BeOre

On this commcial building,

sval things a discouagd:

th sign band is covd, thoiginal building matial and

window sizs a covd with

siding, and th cssd dooway

is nclosd with plywood.

ATer

Installing signs in th sign band, uncoving th oiginal

windows and siding, and stoing th cssd dooway

indicat to customs that th building houss a businss.




M A t

e r i A l S

&

C o l o

r

9

E n C o u r A G E d

• Repairing damaged exterior materials

with similar materials

• Using durable materials such as brick and stone

• Adding a resh coat o paint

• Painting architectural elements and window

rames a dierent, yet complementary

color to make the building more visually

appealing and emphasize unique eatures

• Murals can serve as a destination point

or assist in dening the location

•

Consulting an architect beore covering a açade with new materials

• Using low-maintenance materials

• Maintaining brick and stone açades with timely

tuck pointing (replacing deteriorated mortar)


• Painting brick or stone that is not painted

• Sandblasting brick, which removes

a protective exterior

• Covering brick or stone with vinyl,

aluminum, or wood siding

BeOre

Coving bick with anoth matial, lik th

yllow boads in this photogaph, is discouagd.

ATer

rmoving matials that cov bick and

display windows stos th stt’s hythm

and claly idntifs building ntancs.




W i N

d o W S

&

d o o r S

10

TTaspaet storeronts assure

both natural surveillance o the

street and sidewalk and create an

inviting pedestrian experience. Large

spans o solid wall area reduce the

opportunity to display goods and

services to passing customers, are

uninviting or pedestrians, and provide

a tempting surace or grati.

Storeront windows are very important

or most retail and service businesses.Transorming storeront windows to

make them appealing to customers is a

cost eective way to promote products

and services. Storeront windows

may not seem necessary or some

businesses, such as some proessional

oces. However, there are many

benets or such businesses to maintain

large storeront windows along the

street or natural interior lighting

and to maintain a visual connection

between the business and sidewalk.

Doors should draw shoppers to the

business entrance, provide views

into the business rom the street,

and open and close smoothly.

BeOre

Coving windows with lag signs

ssntially tuns a sto’s back onto

th stt and potntial customs.

ATer

In this sktch, th windows and doos a o clutt and obstuctions,

allowing cla viws btwn th businss and th stt. Th whit

sidntial-styl doo is placd with a doo consistnt with th building styl.




W i N

d o W S

&

d o o r S

11

E n C o u r A G E d

• Windows and doors made o clear glass to

allow views into and out o the business

• Wide olding or sliding doors

that open the business activity directly onto the sidewalk

• Painting window rames a complementary

color to add visual variety and interest

• Removing boards or other obstacles

rom upper foor windows

• Using lighting to discourage loitering

in recessed doorways during o hours

• Using window coverings such as shades or

curtains to mask unused upper foor space

as an alternative to covering windows

• Reusing original windows

whenever possible


• Reducing existing window size to accept

standard residential window sizes

• Replacing windows with wall surace,

wood, metal, or other materials

• Blocking windows or unused

doors with storage shelves,

product storage, or signage

• Doors with a residential appearance

• Plexiglas instead o glass

BeOre

Coving windows and skitboad

panls with boads o oth

matials is discouagd.

ATer

H, windows a uncovd to allow additional

viws into th building and skitboad panls a

stod to coodinat with th windows thy suppot.




A W N i

N g S &

C A N o p

i e S

12

CCapes, or awnings, are roo-

like structures above a window or

door, projecting over the sidewalk.

They are typically made o canvasor metal and can shelter customers,

merchandise, and storeront windows

rom direct sunlight. Awnings

also provide space or signage and

decoration, to enhance the pedestrian

experience and welcome customers.

Awnings visua lly mark door and window locations. They help visually

dene the width o an individual

store and can contribute to business

identity. On a single building with

multiple storeronts, individual awnings

should be located at each storeront

opening and be consistent in size,

prole, and location to distinguish

each business and reveal building

details. Multiple awnings on a single

building do not need to be identical.

BeOre

This lag mtal awningovwhlms th small building.

ATer

Coctly sizd awnings daw attntion

to a sto’s windows and ntanc,

ath than th awning itsl.




A W N i

N g S &

C A N o p

i e S

13

E n C o u r A G E d

• Attaching awnings to the building at or

below the lower edge o the sign band

• Awnings with dimensions that match

the window and door openings• Awnings made o canvas and waterproo

cloth designed to resist ading and tearing

• Colors that coordinate with the building and area

• Retractable awnings that allow fexibility

to respond to changing weather

• Using awnings to cool interiors and save energy

• Awnings that a re in proportion to the building

• Under-awning lights designed to

illuminate the sidewalk and storeront

• Awnings with thin proles that do not

obscure the building and storeront


• Refective or glossy nishes that

obscure a reader’s view

• Rigid materials such as aluminum,

vinyl or plastics that are sensitive to

weather conditions, especia lly wind

• Obscuring architectural details o the açade

• Using a continuous awning across two

buildings to join them as one business

• Backlighting awnings

ATer

A canopy is mo consistnt with this building’s

hoizontal styl and mphasizs th window

band as a pincipal lmnt o th açad.

BeOre

Th aluminum awning on this building is too

small o th siz o th building and obscus

th upp potion o th windows.




S i g N

S

14

Y Y steft signage tremendously aects

your business. Signs make a strong rst impression

and can be a creative demonstration o a business’

character. Signs should clearly communicate the

name and identity o your business. Four to seven

words are the most passersby can e ectively read.

Well-designed signs market a business through

quick impact.

There are many dierent kinds o signs which can be

eective i appropriate to the site and well designed.

Pojcting/hanging signs are double-sided

and project rom a building over the sidewalk.

Pedestrians on the sidewalk see them best.

Window signs are graphics and/or lettering

applied directly to the storeront windows and best

seen at pedestrian level.

Wall signs are attached to the primary açade and

best viewed looking straight at the building rom

across the street. Wall signs are usually located in

the sign band, the portion o the açade that is just

above the storeront on the rst foor and below

the second foor windows. The sign band provides

space or building signage in a consistent place

rom storeront to storeront. Even i your building

does not have a traditional sign band marked by

architectural details, you can achieve a similar look

by placing a wall sign in the area where a sign band

would be located.

BeOre

Signs a wll-locatd, but a

backlightd and ovwhlmthis low building.

ATer

Simpl, cla sign txt in th

sign band in ncouagd.




S i g N

S

15

E n C o u r A G E d

• Solid, brightly-colored signs that

contrast with the building’s wall colors

• Type onts and colors that are

legible rom a distance• Collaborating with artists

to design a unique sign that

represents your business

• Mounting signs no more than

one story above the sidewalk

• Graphic or three-dimensional,

xed signs that include an

icon o the business

• Using neon to indicate a business

name or trade, but not to

advertise specic products

• Contrasting letter and background

colors to increase readability

• Posting the property address number

on the building to help customers anddelivery services locate your store

• Using durable materials

• Displaying the business name

or logo on a window sign that

does not obscure views

• Lights mounted to illuminate a sign

• Hiring proessionals or sign design,

construction, and installation

• Relighting historic neon signs and

maintaining other historic signs


• Blocking storeront windows

with too many signs

• Overwhelming the building

with a sign that is too large

• Long, complicated messages

• Small, dicult-to-read lettering

• Covering architectural

details with signage

• Signage mounted on top

o the building

• Internally-illuminated or

backlit plastic signs

• Using banners as permanent signage

• Neglecting maintenance on old signs

All signs qui pmits obtaind

by a licnsd sign contacto in th

City o Minnapolis. A list o

licensed sign contractors is available at

www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/mdr/docs/

signcontractors.pd




l i g h t

i N g

16

eEffectve lighting systems provide needed visibility or your

storeront, drawing attention to key unctional or aesthetic

elements such as doorways, windows, signage, sidewalks, or

architectural details. Strategic lighting can also deter criminals

and increase the perception o saety or passing customers.

There are several dierent kinds o lighting: entrance way

lighting, sign lighting, merchandise storeront lighting,

energy-saving night lighting, decorative detail lighting, and

general area lighting. Each lighting type perorms a dierent

job and should attract attention to what it illuminates, not to

the light xture or bulb.

B r i G h T E r i S n o T A L w AY S B E T T E r

Security lighting can be at a relatively low level. Glare is light

that beams directly rom a bulb into your eye. It hampers the

vision o pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. I lights are overly

bright, they actually make it easier or a criminal to hide in

the deep shadows produced by objects in the harsh light.

Make sure lights point downward or toward the building or

sign and not into the sky.

Darkness can be better than lighting i no one is around to

witness and report crimes or i lighting helps criminals to see

what they are doing. Consider using motion-detector lights or

timers when lights are not needed late at night. I an area is

usually dark, people will more likely notice i it is suddenly lit

up. Do not light back doos that cannot b sn by oths.

Ths styls o lighting

fxtus a ncouagd.




l i g h t

i N g

17

E n C o u r A G E d

• Downward-directed lighting at all building

entrances and along walkways to maintain

security while not casting excessive glare

•

Light xtures that complementthe entire açade

• Casting light only where needed

• Hiding or shielding security

lighting, such as foodlights

• Lighting signs rom above,

rather than behind

• Lighting recessed doorways

• Hiring proessionals or lighting design,

construction, and installation

• Energy saving light bulbs


• Lights directed toward streets,

sidewalks, or adjacent properties

• Lights that are too bright

• Backlighting awnings

Lighting cssd

dooways is ncouagd.

Backlighting awnings

is discouagd.



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.i.iapolis..us/pd/ra_srs_ho.asp

Dsign: trial Park craiv Oiginal Atwok: Ror Roso, Dsi for Prsrva io 2008

City of Minneapolis

Department of Community Planning

& Economic Development –CPED

facade design guide

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