Los Gatos Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL ... - City of Winters

INTRODUCTION
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CORPORATE ARCHITECTURE
• The Town will work with applicants
to adapt critical functional
features of prototype plans to their
Los Gatos sites, but will not accept
standard plans, building forms, elevations,
materials, or colors that do not
relate to the site, adjacent development,
or Los Gatos’ community character.
• Applicants are encouraged to
meet early in the process with the
Town’s Community Development
Department staff to discuss their
plans and building prototypes.
Town of Los Gatos
d) Avoid “awning architecture” where large awnings
dominate the building frontages.
Avoid awnings-as-architecture
e) Provide varied building and parapet heights except
in locations where flat parapets are common.
f) Place awnings and canopies at elevations that relate
to the height of pedestrians and provide a sense of
shelter. Use awning appropriate to the building style.
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
The Town of Los Gatos supports sustainable
design in the construction of
new facilities and the remodeling of existing
buildings. Applicants are expected
to utilize creativity in adapting sustainable
design elements to the unique
qualities of the Town’s visual environment
and the community expectations
set forth in this design guidelines document.
Town staff will work closely with
applicants to achieve this goal.
Awnings placed high on building facades do
not provide a sense of shelter or pedestrian
scale
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Special attention will be expected of all
applicants in the following areas:
• Use of energy efficient HVAC systems
• Use of solar energy
• Reduction of energy demands
through simple techniques such as operable
windows and sun control methods
• Minimization of storm water runoff
• Use of recycled materials
• Limit use of copper roofing, gutters
and trim
• Increase insulation and energy efficient
lighting
Awnings placed at pedestrian scale
g) Break facade segments into modules that reflect
those common along nearby commercial building frontages.
For facades along streets that are closely related
to nearby residences, break larger building elements
into modules that are sympathetic to the smaller scale
of those houses.
Commercial Design Guidelines