Oakland Design Review Manual for the Central ... - City of Oakland

4.4 Building Access Design4.4IntentProvide a clear hierarchy of entrances that are delineated bydistinct transitions between public and private space.ENCOURAGEA prominent main entrance that features articulation and is appropriatelyscaled to the building can facilitate user access to interiorsby clearly differentiating it from service or rear entrances. Providinga readable series of zones that use semi-public space and frontagetreatments to transition from the public to the private space can createa sense of welcome by providing shelter and a place for waitingand social interaction outside of interior spaces. See Figure 4.4.a.Guidelines4.4.1 Entrances should include a legible series of zones that utilizeentry spaces and architectural features to transition from publicto private spaces. Semi-public transitions include porches,stoops, arcades, forecourts, lobbies, awnings, canopies andstairs, even garage doors.4.4.2 A clear, hierarchical distinction should be made betweenprimary entrances and secondary entrances. Primaryentrances should be located on the primary façade of abuilding and should be clearly expressed to impart a senseof prominence through scale, detailing and ornamentationthat clearly denotes their stature as the main access to abuilding.4.4.3 Primary entries should be framed by sheltering elementssuch as awnings, arcades, porches or stoops. This createsa protected space for visitors to pause as they enter or leavethe building.4.4.4 The design of entrances, entrance elements and garagedoors should complement the architectural style and scale ofthe building and its architectural elements.4.4.5 Porches and stoops should be designed as integral architecturalfeatures of the main structure rather than as afterthoughts,which can create architectural elements that look “tackedon.”Posts and rail should be substantial in appearance tomatch the architectural character of the main facade. Railingsshould be visually permeable, which creates a more invitingappearance. See Figures 4.4.b through 4.4.e.OAKLAND DESIGN REVIEW MANUAL FOR CENTRAL ESTUARYXX Figure 4.4.a: The stair and portico actas the semi-public transition zone intothe building.AvoidXX Figure 4.4.b: The porches on thisbuilding look tacked on because theyhave little relationship to its architectureand scale.ENCOURAGEXX Figure 4.4.c: Open railings on theseentry stairs preserve the sight linealong the building setback creating anopen, inviting transition by creating acontinuous semi-public space.41