1031 Clouet St.

Staff Recommendations: 

1031 Clouet Street is a frame single shotgun building constructed in ca. 1860 with limited Greek Revival ornamentation. At some point in the buildings history an unsympathetic rear addition was constructed. In 2023, a proposal for the removal of this portion and construction of a contemporary addition was reviewed and approval by the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) and Commission. The HDLC approved drawing set included a side entry at the right-side elevation with contemporary perforated metal screening at a recessed entry vestibule.  The section drawings below indicate the construction method for this detail which only include a perforated metal screen material mounted to a tube steel frame. During construction this area was modified with polycarbonate sheathing behind the screening. This deviation from the approved plans comprises the retention ask.

Per the architect, the polycarbonate sheets were attached between the perforated metal and the steel frame to prevent water intrusion from the parapet. However, it appears that rust is already starting to appear at this area. The use of the polycarbonate is not typically approved in HDLC full control districts. The reflectivity of the material in this application not only deviates from the approved plans but also distracts from the contemporary detailing of the screening. Since its installation this area has experienced a significant amount of rust, altering the overall color of the screening and the visibility of the polycarbonate material. It is likely that this condition will continue to reduce the reflectivity of the polycarbonate material. Staff leaves the decision at the discretion of the Commission.