2014 town of griffith façade guidelines update

Town of Griffith Façade Improvement Program GuidelinesProgram Overview, Goals, Guidelines, Design Examples, 2014 Project Updates

James Douglas Smith, AIA Architects Inc.310 West Michigan Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202James Douglas Smith, AIA, Project Architect

Program Guidelines Table of Contents • Page 1 Program Guidelines Cover• Page 2 Table of Contents• Page 3-4 Program Overview• Page 5 Facade Design Concepts• Pages 6-64 100 Block Design Concepts• Pages 65-97 200 Block Design Concepts• Pages 98-107 300 Block Design Concepts• Pages 108-112 Scattered Site Design Concepts• Appendix Design Criteria• Pages 114-120 Program Methodology• Pages 121-129 Urban Aesthetics -Design Elements, Signs, Storefronts• Pages 130-131 Urban Graphics – Exterior Mural Examples

Copyright – James Douglas Smith, AIA, Architect, Inc.

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Program Overview• This design guide sets out a comprehensive, flexible guide for the facade

restoration program of Downtown Griffith Indiana. The design suggestions for reshaping of existing storefronts are also intended to reshape the perception of the Griffith business district by drawing out the structure and identity latent in the present confusion of shapes and colors, improve the quality of the districts image and perception by the residents of the Town and the many people that pass through Griffith every day, to make this revitalized district a destination rather than a thoroughfare.

• Griffith is not an ancient town with rows of historic buildings to restore as in some neighboring cities, but Griffith does have an interesting railroad heritage which could be amplified and has several examples of recent façade restoration that can be used to develop a down town identity. We have set forth alternative design styles, with an emphasis on craftsman style and organic materials and colors.


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Program Overview• The designs presented show possibilities but are not mandates. The

purpose in the design suggestion is to show a direction. Each individual property or business owner is responsible for detailed development and would submit plans to the Town for review.

• All façade program suggestions are made in the spirit of keeping business going as usual while improvements are being made.

• This study presents real building design examples using elements from the example standards of storefront, window, signage and murals for development of the 100 through 300 blocks of Broad as an inspiration for spreading the improvements throughout the Town.

• As buildings are improved, this presentation will be updated to show the effect and influence on the downtown.


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The following are side by side comparisons of existing building storefronts and suggested design enhancement renderings. In most cases, simple changes make dramatic improvements. The existing mix of ages and building types is widely varied. The new designs respect the existing visual environment by using as much of the existing building shape and materials as possible.As program participation is embraced by the downtown building owners, we will update this study to include the improvements.


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• Most densely commercial block with businesses on east and west sides of Broad Street.


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100 Block-West

Aerial View of Broad Street,West Side- 100 Block

Existing Street view of the 100 Block of Broad, West side, looking south west.


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100 Broad- Chase Bank ATM CornerThe Chase Bank ATM is lost in the corner lot. If development is planned by the Bank in the immediate future, then it will add to the down town. If there are no plans to build, the design study recommendation is to bring some activity to the lot including urban sculpture, additional landscaping, street vendors and a major Down town entry marker such as a clock tower

AERIAL VIEW OF THE SITE.


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100 Broad- Chase Bank ATM Corner


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106 Broad- Pittsburgh Paint

As-is view. Building has stone face in need of cleaning and tuck pointing, entrance is not defined. Graphics are minimal, storefront is dated.


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106 Broad- Pittsburgh Paint And view of the west

streetscape


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106 Broad- Pittsburgh Paint


Clean and restore existing stone, replace storefront with insulated glass and thermal break storefront and new , matching updated doors. Update awning to emphasize the entry and provide new brighter colors and company graphics and prominent street number.

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110- 112 Broad

This retail building houses two businesses, an interior design firm and a boutique clothing store, beauty parlor. The buildings stone façade needs cleaning and tuck pointing the store front is dated and there is no clear identification signage or delineation of entry.


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110- 112 Broad Clean and tuck point stone, upgrade storefront and doors with contemporary designed, energy efficient storefront. New entry canopy to clearly define the entry and individual signage for each business.


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116 -118 Broad

Similar to the previous building, this houses two businesses, a fitness store and a popular deli that has been in the community for decades. The buildings brick façade is salvageable but in need of cleaning and tuck pointing the store front is dated and there is no clear identification signage or delineation of entry for the fitness shop. The Deli needs an image upgrade and offers an opportunity for outside dining which is a desirable addition to downtown activity.


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116 -118 Broad (Streetscape view looking south from 118 to 106 Broad)


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116 -118 Broad

Brick façade is salvaged. New storefront and doors add energy efficiency as well as visual interest. Signage clearly defines both businesses. The deli is opened up to provide a serving counter to service lunch clients at outside patio setting. New building lighting illuminates signage and the architectural features.


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116 -118 Broad


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120 North Broad

American Natural Resources is the first building of two, connected inside. This unique business retails rustic furnishing and furniture and has an active taxidermy side as well. The exterior speaks to the unique character of the business, but is a bit cluttered and needs touchup and brightening of the wood exterior. At first it is not obvious that the south door is the main entry to both buildings.


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120 North Broad

The design study recommendation for both buildings is for touching up the finishes, make it obvious that the entry is no longer below the north gable. Further recommendation is to remove the decorative, white water fowl marching across the roof/ While it is humorous it is more of a detraction.


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120 North Broad


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126-128 North Broad

The 126-128 building is a continuation of the American Natural Resources building but they are not internally connected and are not part of that operation. The south entry is Oak Tax and accounting, the north entry is for the American Natural Resources shop. As for the adjacent buildings, the study recommends cleaning up the existing materials, and for these two buildings, new signage, entry doors and store front would add greatly to a fresh appearance.


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126-128 North Broad


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130 North Broad, C&R Stationary

C&R Stationary occupies all of the next building. Stonework needs cleaning and tuck pointing. Signage needs improvement to call the business out and define the entry. The storefront needs upgrading


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130 North Broad, C&R Stationary

As an alternate to cleaning and exposing the brick this design adds EIIFS over flat wall surfaces, a cornice and pilaster treatment to clearly set this building out from the two adjacent. New brightly colored awnings and updated blade sign add interest and unique identity. The storefront and entry door is also replaced with new energy efficient materials.


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132 North, Griffith Public School Administrative Center


The stone front required cleaning and tuck pointing, or as an alternate, replacement with thin set brick or EIFS for brighter look. Replace awning with an up dated metal canopy with suspended lights and replace the upper and lower windows. Provide new individual letter signage and school logo panel at the entry. For accent, add cornices at parapet and above window band.

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134 North, Varsity Sports


Add distinction and liveliness to the building with a resurfacing and reshaping with EIFS pilasters, new gable above upper windows, upgraded storefront and entry door, bright individual store identification letters and new gooseneck lighting.

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• Varsity Sports has recently revived their storefront, based upon the Design Guide example

138 North, Blythe’s Sports Shop


Provide new surface treatment with cornice trim for definition. Redistribute and replace lettering and flat painted signs with coordinated individual letters.. Upgrade storefront glass and metal and provide new attractive entry doors. Additional elements to be considered include replacing perpendicular sign with a new illuminated blade sign and adding gooseneck or other appropriate surface lighting.

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• Blythes Sports Shop recently redesigned their storefront. While they did not duplicate the Design Guide example, they have provided a significant upgrade to the block

142-144-146 North Broad


This building is on a prominent corner that should draw people to the businesses and should add to the overall impact of the block, but the confused shapes and colors offer no visual interest. Unattractive features include contrasting stone and black sided upper story with random punched windows and random signage.

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142-144-146 North Broad


The study suggests unifying the upper and lower parts of the façade by re-facing with EIFS, providing decorative articulation with horizontal cornices to add to unifying the building, upgrading the storefront entry doors and signage for building unity and to better showcase the individual businesses.

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146 N. Broad - 101 West Columbia


Continuation of the 142-146 building around corner.

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146 N. Broad - 101 West Columbia


Extend the same design theme all around the building. Add to the Columbia entrance for more interest, better business identity and to complement the two story section on Broad Street.

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100 Block-East

Aerial View of Broad Street,East Side- 100 Block

Existing Street view of the 100 Block of Broad, east side, looking south east.


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145 North, Jacks’ Heating


The angled orientation and corner location give this building a superior street presence however the dated mansard roof and subdued color and lack of building signage cancels any advantage the unique site offers.

These elevations are equally visible from the street and both in need of updating. The study suggests replacing the old mansard with a new brighter wood look fascia, new gabled entry canopy, new windows and entry door. Signage on the building and surface lighting give the façade character and life.

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Streetscape view showing the updated facade in relation to the adjacent upgraded buildings/

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Detail view of the proposed new entry and new materials. The main body of brick may be salvaged with cleaning and tuck pointing. Possibly stain the brick using epoxy treatment that retains brick texture to equalize the obvious fill-in areas.

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Jacks’ Heating has followed the Design Guide suggestions greatly improving the appearance of the corner.

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135 North – Spare Room Lounge


Very large brick masonry and stone building that has been a bowling alley and lounge. The building is for sale and some potential buyers have discussed converting to a multi-use. The design study recommendations include salvaging as much stone and brick as possible, cleaning and tuck pointing overall, creating new design features to unify the structure visually and to provide emphasis on the existing entry ways which are now just holes punched in a wall.

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New EIFS band at top, build up parapet on the north to match the south end; new entry porticos at north and west; additional coordinated window treatment; a combination of surface mounted letter signs and blade signs; surface lighting to illuminate the entry and signage; Brick and stone to be cleaned and tuck pointed.

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135 North – Spare Room- (Mural Location)


Provide urban mural on south face where it can be easily seen from the street, in the existing parking area.

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127 North, Wholesale Houses


One of several buildings in this block that are good examples of what can be done to improve an existing façade. Little needs to be done here except rethinking the signage and adding prominent street address numbers.

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127 North, Wholesale Houses, (Mural Location)


Suggested treatment for business signage and street numbers. The north face is another ideal place to consider a major urban mural.

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125 North, History of Pharmacy


Just as its neighbor to the north, this building is already a good example of façade upgrading and can be considered as a good example to use as a model for others.

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125 North, History of Pharmacy


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125 North, History of Pharmacy, Possible Mural Location


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111 North Broad, Town Hall, Mural Location


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111 North Broad, Town Hall


Griffith Town Hall is another example of a building to use as a model of excellent maintenance and upgrading.

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111 North Broad, Town Hall


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109-101 North, Joe’s Center Cut Cafe


Multi tenant building on one of the most prominent Griffith corners. The potential marketing value of this corner position is defeated by the dated, drab and beat up mansard and vinyl siding. Entrances to the various businesses is not clear and names on signs don’t correspond to signs in the windows below.

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Similar dull appearance along the south façade. The design study suggestion is for a dramatic change in appearance, keeping the same general building shape and size but creating interest and clarity for each of the tenants.

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109-101 North, Joe’s Center Cut CafeCopyright – James Douglas Smith, AIA, Architect, Inc.

Suggested building improvements: thin brick veneer all around base ( an alternate is to expose existing stone below the vinyl siding and salvage if possible); replace the mansard with a new EIFS surface and border with premade polyurethane crown molding by “Fypon” or equal. Note the information kiosk between Town Hall and this building. Where appropriate, these urban furniture elements add life and interest to the general downtown experience

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Construct prominent entry tower at corner of the restaurant, with a design giving the flavor of a railroad structure following the rail theme where possible for all improvements to the downtown. New window and door treatment with entry porticos and unified signage to distinguish the tenants.

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• 200 Block-East side is dense, varied commercial use with a wide range of use from church to office to restaurant and auto repair. The west side of Broad is school property


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200 Block-East


Aerial View of Broad Street,East Side - 200 Block

Existing Street view of the 200 Block of Broad, East side, looking north east.

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245 North, Topps TransmissionsCopyright – James Douglas Smith, AIA, Architect, Inc.

Prominent corner location with rundown appearance. Suggest major upgrade to the building to replace dated mansard, brighten the colors in line with the downtown theme and provide attractive building face and signage.

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245 North, Topps Transmissions


Replace siding and mansard with new EIFS surface all around. New entry tower with new storefront, entry doors and signage.

West elevation

North elevation

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245 North, Topps Transmissions


Street view of Topps, east side looking southeast.

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239 North, TD’s Express


Dated brick building with little character. Restaurant has attempted to add interest with signs and awnings but does not tie together visually. Potential here to open the front for street dining.

Elevation view looking east from Broad Street.

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Remodeled exterior includes tuck pointing and cleaning of brick, addition of “Fypon” cornice and detail, continuous awning with entrance emphasized, new windows and doors and opening the dining area to a new patio.

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Update signage on north wall and combine with mural that has old shopping street theme.

Detail view of patio.

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237 North, All Insuror's Inc.


Brick needs cleaning and tuck pointing. Awning and storefront are dated and need upgrade for more attractive and energy efficient front. Some additional treatment needed to frame and offset the building.

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Updated awning, storefront and signage. Premade urethane trim (Fypon or equal) for cornice and pilaster trim to frame the existing brick and other new work..

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Detail street view of storefront.

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235 North, 219 Cuts


Visual impression of building is a red brick box with holes cut into the surface. No character, nothing to make anyone look twice. Recommend to salvage the existing brick and add new interest.

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235 North, 219 Cuts


New life to the existing brick, new cornice for decorative articulation, new doors upper windows and storefront for appearance and energy efficiency, new more lively signage and surface lighting.

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235 North, 219 Cuts


Additional street view details. The south wall is visible from the street and would be a suitable location for a mural.

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231 North, Calvary Church


The church building and grounds are well kept and do not require upgrading unless the congregation feels a need to complement the commercial improvements. The study recommends they add street number signage to match the downtown standard.

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231 North, Calvary Church


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225 North, Jim & Carl’s Barber Shop


Well kept brick masonry building that appears to be in good shape. Appearance could be improved to make the function clear. Suggest adding decorative features and bold signage.

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Street elevation view showing new decorative trim to frame bold signage. Upgrade to the storefront and doors similar to the building designs three doors north would improve appearance more.

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Street view detail looking south east. Wall facing parking lot is a potential mural site.

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223 North, Greenbaum Insurance


This is a brick masonry building that has been remodeled to make more residential in appearance. The effect would be better if the brick can be exposed and repaired and new trim treatments along with new storefront is added. The building is much larger than it looks and has the potential to house several tenants.

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Street elevation showing recommended improvements.

Expose brick; add new interesting entry gable and two new storefront entrances. Enlarge the storefront and potentially create on one side a café/ice cream type shop with outdoor seating patio

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Detail view of storefront at outdoor patio. New blade signage for the tenants would be appropriate. The outdoor patio and the new street furniture provided by the Town is very complementary.

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221 North Broad (vacant)


Currently vacant, this very narrow building has vinyl siding trim and window door combinations that seem to be an attempt to convert a residential two flat to commercial use. A bold treatment needed to make this work visually and be appealing to use as a business.

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221 North Broad (vacant)


Combine thin set brick veneer and James Hardie board trim to emphasize the verticality of the building. Increase the windows and storefront and add a new commercial style entry door. Colorful canopy awnings add eye catching interest as well as providing places for shop names.

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219-217 North, Medical Offices


An uninteresting brick box with punched hole doors and windows, dull wood mansard. While preserving the brick, the mansard needs to be replaced with a treatment that will add life as well as visual function.

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Decorative cornice trim, contrasting siding with attractive signage and defined entry canopies make it more apparent what businesses are in the building and where to enter. Another important element is the addition of new surface lighting sconces

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View of the medical offices from Broad Street. Along with the new town street furniture, this building will now get a second look.

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Detail view looking north east

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215 North, Bakery and Cafe


Replace dated mansard, upgrade storefront and entrance doors, integrate signage to look as if it belongs to the building and not an afterthought. Pick more attractive color combinations.

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New bright colored awning with shop names integrated. Upgrade exterior finish with new EIFS. New energy efficient windows and doors. New exterior lighting

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Street vendors add life and color to a streetscape and should be encouraged where appropriate.

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201 North, Masonic HallCopyright – James Douglas Smith, AIA, Architect, Inc.

The Masonic Hall building and grounds are well kept and serve as a good example to neighboring facilities.

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• 300 block – The east side of Broad Street is commercial at the north and south ends, with residential in the center. The west side of Broad is school property, part of Franklin School to the south.


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300 Block, East


Presently being remodeled, the 343 North Broad building is the only 300 block structure included in the façade program at this time. The wood sided exterior covers brick and block and also covers large storefront openings that will be reopened in the remodeling.

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300 Block, East


Adjacent commercial and residential buildings on the 300 block, this view looking southeast

View of the 300 block looking northeast from the corner.

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343 North, Lucille’s


Work in progress has revealed large storefront openings were covered in the past.

Proposed improvements to the façade include extensive EIFS re-surfacing, wood trim and canopy construction as well as new storefront, open café-patio new signage and lighting

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Detail street view looking southeast

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Detailed street view looking northeast

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Detail view of café patio

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Detail view of the open serving area of the new lounge showing the new storefront and entry doors as well as new signage and lighting

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While not an exact duplication of the Design Guide rendering, Lucille’s picked out the essence the design rendering and made a dramatic improvement to the 300 block.

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Scattered Site Improvements

• North and south of the three block target zone of the Town’s façade improvement program, several businesses have shown interest in making improvements and a few have taken steps to get into the spirit of the Design Guide suggestions.


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216 South BroadNiko’s Steak and Seafood


Niko’s Steak and Seafood had a clean appearance however the entrance faced the street and the narrow sidewalk made for an uncomfortable and unattractive entry. All of the customer parking is to each side. In order to make the entry more inviting and ADA accessible, we suggested two entrances, one from each parking area. The south ramp now allows wheel chair access directly to the seating level.

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Original facade

Façade Improvements

Design Guide facade

410 North BroadStudio 4


Studio 4 salon was concerned with visibility of her shop from Broad Street. The design guide suggestions included relocation of their street sign and extending the existing canopy to three sides to be easily seen from the north and south approaches. The owner is considering options.

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Original facadeDesign Guide facade

Design Guide facade

402-404 South BroadParty Liquors and Hair Salon


Party liquors storefront required replacement and canopy required upgrade. Our design suggestions included unifying the façade of both buildings with a continuous canopy, new store front and cornice treatment at the parapet. The north wall is also an ideal spot for one of the urban graphic murals recommended by the guide. Party Liquors has replaced their storefront and updated the canopy. The adjacent building has not yet started improvements.

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Design Guide façade

Original facade

Design Guide façade

402-404 South BroadParty Liquors and Hair Salon


The south two story portion of the building is owned by another individual. They are reviewing the suggestions to improve the canopy, and parapet cornice treatment. Included in the suggestions are improvements to the south side retail shop.

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Design Guide south and east façade Original south facade

Design Guide south façade

Design Criteria

The following text and graphics outline the initial project problems, plan of attack and design criteria used to evaluate the buildings and generate the suggested improvements. Much variety is possible combining the elements presented. Our hope is that as the downtown merchants see their neighbors improve part of the block, they will become infected with the spirit and expand the redesign progress.


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Methodology• Project applications will be taken by the Town for eligible

façade projects. Contact the Town Council President or the Downtown Revitalization Committee (DRC) chairman for applications, Town Policies and Guidelines and extent of your eligible Façade program Funding .▫ The list of eligible work to be performed on facades must

be obtained from the DRC but in general will include the following type of improvements:


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Methodology (continued)

• Typical Eligible Uses:▫ Painting of Facades▫ Signage, new and/or modification of existing▫ Façade cleaning and tuck pointing of masonry▫ Exterior lighting▫ Awnings and canopies that complement the building and follow

Town Zoning/Building Ordinances.▫ New doors and entryways.▫ Window and storefront replacement. Emphasis on energy

efficient glass and frames.


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• Typical Eligible Uses:▫ Painting of Facades▫ Signage, new and/or modification of existing▫ Façade cleaning and tuck pointing of masonry▫ Exterior lighting▫ Awnings and canopies that complement the building and follow

Town Zoning/Building Ordinances.▫ New doors and entryways.▫ Window and storefront replacement. Emphasis on energy



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• Typical Eligible Uses:▫ Painting or stucco (EIFS) treatment for Facades▫ Signage, new and/or modification of existing▫ Façade cleaning and tuck pointing of masonry▫ Exterior, permanent, lighting▫ Awnings and canopies that complement the building and

follow Town Zoning/Building Ordinances.▫ New doors and entryways.▫ Window and storefront replacement. Emphasis on energy



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Methodology (eligible uses continued)

▫ Carpentry for exterior improvements including wood siding, new cornices or repair of existing cornices and other decorative trim and EIFS treatments.

▫ Masonry veneer where appropriate.▫ Non-historic façade removal/replacement.▫ Repair/replacement of gutters and downspouts.▫ Visible roof repairs or modifications.▫ Handicapped accessibility improvements


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• Typical Ineligible Uses of Funding:▫ Refinancing existing debt or paying taxes.▫ Property acquisition and/or new construction▫ Interior improvements (unless approved and appropriate)▫ Site plan building or sign fees.▫ Expenses incurred prior to approval of application▫ Any interior improvements unless directly related to the exterior work

being performed.▫ New building construction.▫ Roof repairs that are not visible▫ Structural repairs unless directly related to façade work.


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Public Right of Way• Street improvements by The Town of Griffith have been

completed. They include new street pavement, new curbs, parkway improvements including decorative street lights, planters, benches.


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Urban Aesthetics• Illustrated Examples of Building Improvement

Signs and BannersStorefront DesignsBuilding Element Examples and Terminology


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The Downtown plans include: Decorative lighting, new pavement and sidewalks, planters and parkway trees, Information Kiosks, Banners.


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Traditional and Contemporary Building Sign Designs.

• The façade designs prepared for individual buildings in this study represent only one possibility. Each building/store owner can select signage that complements the building and fit the new downtown themes. The following pages show acceptable traditional and contemporary examples. Blade Signs.

Illumination from wall mounted fixtures


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Traditional Building Sign Designs.Awning Signs.

Glass Etching.

Decorative Projecting Blade Signs.


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Traditional Building Sign Designs.

Externally Illuminated Fascia Signs.

Individualized Lettering.

Externally Illuminated Decorative Wood Fascia signs


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Contemporary Building Sign Designs.

Individual Letters – Stand off mounted, free standing

Individualized Metallic Lettering

Metallic Box Sign


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Contemporary Building Sign Designs.Dark Lettering on Glass or Metal Background

Fascia Signs Awning Signs

Artistic Signs Glass Etching


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Traditional Storefront Elements

Introduce Decorative articulation by adding cornice above sign, molding and trim around the display windows.

Decorative door with signage above clearly identifies the entrance. Awning, flags light fixture add visual interest..

Use external illumination such as gooseneck lights to illuminate signs, entrances and key architectural features

Carefully integrate landscaping to the storefronts to soften them and add color. Use moveable planters to define patio areas and patio seating areas.


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Examples of Traditional Storefront DesignExamples of traditional storefronts with strong expression lines.

Traditional storefronts with decorative articulations- moldings-columns-transoms etc.

Examples of traditional storefronts that integrate awning signs, landscaping, lighting and patio elements.


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Urban Graphics - Murals• Large urban art many in the form of murals are a

popular way to liven a streetscape as well as be instructional about the history of a town. The 100-300 blocks have several possible locations for murals. Because of Griffiths original settlement origins, an appropriate theme to consider is historic railroading.


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Example of Rail theme Mural

Stock murals are available as well as artists to paint original artwork with the selected theme. The Town residents could participate in creating some of the murals as a team effort with a lead muralist..


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