About
The Design Review Board (DRB) maintains the design integrity of the university through the interpretation and application of the University Design Guidelines for Buildings and Landscape as approved by the Board of Trustees.
The DRB meets the 2nd Thursday of each month. For additional information, contact Kim Moss.
Design Review Process
Jump to design review board members
- Projects are reviewed during the Scoping Study phase and subsequent design phases including Pre-Design, Schematic Design and Design Development.
- Criteria for deciding whether a project goes to the DRB may include (but are not limited to):
Types of Projects to be reviewed
- Major projects (more than $4 million)
- Small projects and/or studies that may impact campus’ physical environment or need siting approval
- New buildings or major building additions
- Demolition projects that are associated with the Heritage List of Buildings
- Projects that will have a significant impact on the campus fabric, including pedestrian and vehicular circulation or open space systems
- Proposed public art
- Projects that have the potential to implement significant elements of the Framework Plan and/or other approved planning studies
Upon completion of the scoping study, staff may present final study recommendations to the DRB as a project introduction for future design reviews. Discretionary [By Chair]
Project Scoping Phase
Key Discussion Points
- Presentation of study recommendations
- Discuss & develop DRB design intent & parameters
- Analysis of Framework Plan, studies, historical context & Design Guidelines
- Discuss sustainability opportunities
Materials
- Framework Plan image to show district recommendations
- Design & development info. from appropriate plans, studies, historical context & Design Guidelines
- Photos of existing conditions
- Site analysis diagrams
- Summary of study & recommendations
- Proposed site plan diagram
- Building floor plan bubble diagrams
- Blocking/stacking diagrams
- Notions of materiality
- Conceptual white box massing models
Objective:
To provide the user group/AE team the overarching design parameters for the project (goals and objectives, how it should fit contextually, what is off limits, etc.)
Pre-Design Review
at 50-75% milestone
Key Discussion Points
- Review DRB design intent & parameters
- Discuss programmatic purpose & goals
- Discuss budget & funding info.
- Analysis of planning documents, including Framework Plan, historical context & studies
- Analysis of project related to Design Guidelines
- Preliminary site analysis
- Analysis of circulation patterns
- Sustainability opportunities
- Program opportunities
Materials
- User information/program summary
- Budget/funding information
- Site context map/aerial photo showing relationship to campus
- Region/campus-wide
- District specific
- Pertinent "Study" related information
- Scoping study DRB comments (if applicable)
- Context within FP 3.0 & historical context
- Existing & proposed site/context analysis diagrams (Opportunities/Constraints/Parking/Existing Grading Info/Topo/Existing Vehicular & Pedestrian Circulation/Etc.) - PARE staff to direct team on site analysis diagrams needed
- Site photographs and/or existing building photographs
- Conceptual white box massing models
- Sustainability opportunities
Objective:
Objective here
Schematic Design Review
at 40-60% Milestone
Key Discussion Points
- How project is meeting DRB design intent
- Review previous DRB recommendations
- How design supports & enhances Framework Plan & sustainability goals
- Analysis of project related to Design Guidelines & historical context
- Public vs. private spaces, relationship of spaces to site & buildings
- Relationship of public interior spaces to larger campus context
Materials
- Site context map/aerial photo showing relationship to campus
- Region/campus-wide
- District specific
- Pre-design DRB comments
- Sustainability opportunities (site & building)
- Context within FP 3.0 & historical context
- Architectural
- User information/program summary
- Floor plans & adjacencies
- Building elevations in neighborhood context
- Materials diagram or concepts
- Building sections
- Site/landscape
- Site Plan - include first floor plan of building(s) & district context
- Materials diagram or concepts
- Grading plan with relative spot grade elevations
- Site sections as required to convey design intent
- Pedestrian & vehicular circulation plans (include service routing if applicable)
- Stormwater strategy plan
- Landscape plan
- 3-D massing/modeling as required to convey design intent
DRB Workshop #1 (Optional)
Purpose: An optional informal design review/update to provide the DRB the opportunity to review, comment or course correct design evolution prior to the 100% SD review meeting.
100% SD Estimate
Note: A project is required to have a budget aligned (or clear path to alignment) estimate to schedule a schematic design review with the DRB.
Objective:
Objective here
Design Development Review
at 40-60% Milestone
Key Discussion Points
- How project has met DRB design intent
- Review previous DRB recommendations
- How design supports & enhances Framework Plan & sustainability goals
- Analysis of project to Design Guidelines & historical context
- Public vs. private spaces, relationship of spaces to site & buildings
- Relationship of public interior spaces to larger campus context
- Appropriateness of branding/signage strategy
Materials
Site context map/aerial photo showing relationship to campus
- Region/campus-wide
- District specific
Schematic design DRB comments
Context within FP 3.0 & historical context
Sustainability opportunities (site & building)
Architectural
- Floor Plans
- Building elevations indicating proposed materials
- Interior materials and relevant ceiling plans for public/significant spaces
- Building sections
Site/landscape
- Site plan - include first floor plan of building(s) on site plan, ground based significant utility structures & district context
- Materials plan
- Grading plan with pertinent spot grade elevations
- Site sections as required to convey design intent
- Pedestrian & vehicular circulation plans (include service routing)
- Stormwater plan
- Landscape plan
Material samples (architectural & site)
Exterior branding & signage plan
Perspectives & vignettes to convey design intent
Refined 3D renderings indicating materials & colors
SD Phase Record of Action
Purpose: DRB Staff will provide the user group / design team with an approval letter (with or without conditions) allowing them to move to the next phase of design.
DRB Workshop #2 (Optional)
Purpose: An optional informal design review/update to provide the DRB the opportunity to review, comment or course correct design evolution prior to the 100% DD review meeting.
100% DD Estimate
Note: A project is required to have a budget aligned (or clear path to alignment) estimate to schedule a design development review with the DRB.
DD Phase Record of Action
Purpose: DRB Staff will provide the user group / design team with an approval letter (with or without conditions) allowing them to move to the next phase of design.
Board of Trustees
- Note: For a project to move forward to The Ohio State University Board of Trustees for construction approval the project must have an approved SD and DD DRB record of action and confirmation of DD budget alignment.
Resources
Design Review Board Members
| Position | Member |
|---|---|
| Chair, Design Review Board | Keith Myers, K. Myers Studio |
| Representative, Administration and Planning | Amy Burgess |
| Representative, Knowlton School of Architecture | Ann Pendleton-Jullian |
| Design Professional, Architect | Rebekah Gladson, XI-3 |
| Design Professional, Urban Planner | Jennifer Keesmaat, The Keesmaat Group |
| Design Professional, Landscape Architect | Susan Weiler, OLIN Studio |
| Design Professional, Architect | Graham Wyatt, Robert A.M. Stern Architects |