Page 136 - Michigan City, IN US Highway 421 Corridor Plan

5.3 Design Guidelines

— At least two surface treatments, including masonry, stone, the overall articulation and fenestration of the façade or
stucco or other textured surfaces; hidden with notched-in sidewalls perpendicular to the
— Projecting eaves at least 36 inches from façade; street.
2. Entrances
— Variation in form and materials approved as meeting the
intent. Building entries should be located so that they are easily
identifiable with convenient public access. Projects should
B. Design Standards provide a well-defined entry sequence for pedestrian and
1. Building facades vehicular uses from the street to the building. Exterior openings
Buildings shall have fenestration that establishes a clear pattern may vary in size and pattern but are encouraged to be of
on the facade (with special attention paid to facades that vertical proportion of one horizontal to two vertical (1:2).
are visible from a public street) and that provides depth and The primary entrance to buildings shall be oriented to the street
additional articulation.
front, rather than to the parking lot or garage, alley, or interior of
Building facades longer than 175 feet, measured along the lot.
property line, shall vary the facade such that the resulting façade Special paving, lighting, and landscaping should be included
segments appear to be individual building facades. Facade at primary entrances to clearly identify the entrance and to Variations in Facades Corner Treatments
segments shall be separated by continuous vertical datum lines enhance the overall building design. Facade segments can be differentiated by variations in fenestration size and Corner buildings should actively face onto both streets with pedestrian
on either side of which the façade appearance differs. Facade rhythm, facade material, texture, color, pattern, or a combination thereof. friendly entries similar fenestration pattern on both frontages. Creative
segments can be differentiated by variations in fenestration 3. Passageways corner treatments such as rounded or cut corners, that mark the corner are
size and rhythm, facade material, texture, color, pattern, or Pedestrian passageways should be introduced to increase strongly encouraged.
a combination thereof. Facade segments should generally access within and across blocks.
correspond to interior uses and relate to ground-floor entries.
Pedestrian passageways may be open or roofed, and may go
Building facades should articulate human scale proportions between or through buildings, to courtyards, parking areas, or
and architectural building details that emphasize and reflect the civic spaces.
presence and importance of people are encouraged.
Pedestrian passageways shall be no less than 15 feet wide.
The building architecture is encouraged to contain a series of
overlain orders. Belt courses, horizontal expressions such as If pedestrian passageways are covered, they require a floor to
a frieze band, cornice line at the parapet or eave of the roof, ceiling height of at least two times their width, but no greater
water tables, stone or brick ornamentation as well as details at than three times their width.
the head and sill of windows are strongly encouraged to achieve
these ends. 4. Windows
— Windows should overlook public areas to allow for
— The “top” of the building shall emphasize a distinct profile increased safety.
or outline with elements such as an extended, cantilevered Regardless of architectural style, it is recommended that
cornices, upper level setback, or pitched roofline. Building Facades Entrance Ways
windows be located in such a way so as to help avoid the Building facades longer than 175 feet, measured along the property line, Building entries should be conveniently located for public access. The pri-
— Building facades should be articulated with a strong rhythm creation of blank walls. shall vary the facade such that the resulting façade segments appear to be mary entrance of the building shall be oriented to the street front.
of horizontal elements and three-dimensional detailing to individual building facades.
cast shadow and create visual interest. Windows in single-family attached and multifamily buildings
shall have vertical proportions with architecturally or historically
— Corner buildings should actively face onto both streets appropriate window divisions. Horizontally-oriented windows
with pedestrian friendly entries and similar fenestration are permitted for these building types only on non-street facing
patterns on both frontages. Creative corner treatments building facades.
such as rounded or cut corners that mark the corner are
strongly encouraged. Windows should incorporate treatments to control/ improve heat
— Expansive blank and blind walls at the ground floor are loss/gain (glass type, window film, etc.). Treatments should allow
prohibited. Frontage should not be used for utilities, for visibility from the outside (no mirror finishes, etc.).
storage, and refuse collection wherever possible; where
they must be on the street, they should be integrated into Highly-reflective, mirrored, heavily-tinted and opaque glazing

5-17

Adopted: August 16, 2016 Implementation 5.0