Five architectural firms are competing to design Atherton’s new civic center. On Wednesday, Nov. 5, the City Council will discuss what it would like to see in the architects’ proposals. The meeting starts at 4 p.m. in the town’s council chambers at 94 Ashfield Road.
The five firms — chosen from 16 that asked to be considered — are Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, Harley Ellis Devereaux, Siegel & Strain, Swatt/Miers and WNS Studio.
Dec. 10 is the deadline to submit their proposals. The firms will be interviewed in mid-January by Atherton’s Civic Center Advisory Committee. On Jan. 27, the council is scheduled to interview the finalists chosen by the committee.
The advisory committee recommends that residents be included in the design-review process and that the project be budget-driven, and, if possible, include environmentally friendly “green” building elements.
Among the design goals recommended by the committee are that the structures “be consistent and compatible with Atherton’s rural, neighborhood residential character” and reflect the town’s building types rather than those of an urban civic center. Sensitivity to impacts on neighbors is another priority.
Because much of the cost of the project will be paid for with donations that have not yet been publicly committed, the architects are asked to come up with alternatives that can be added if enough money is raised. These include an underground garage, a design that is highly energy efficient or creates all its own energy on-site, and renovation or reuse of the historic council chambers.
Also on the Nov. 5 agenda: a study session on a new law to regulate cell phone transmission facilities in town. Atherton does not have such a law and has been negotiating individually with those who want to put such facilities in the town.
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