Design Review Committee

Overview
Membership
Resources
Meetings

Design Review Committee Overview

The Design Review Committee (DRC) reviews new and existing exterior conditions including structures, signage, modifications, and site developments primarily within the Fort Collins area, including but not limited to Main, South, Foothills, and ARDEC Campuses.

  • Large projects – over $2,000,000 require a formal meeting of the DRC.
  • Small projects can be reviewed at either the formal meeting or via an electronic review process.
    • DRC utilizes Bluebeam in the electronic reviews.
    • Sometimes the electronic review process can be used to verify directions rendered in the formal DRC meeting.
    • Exterior materials may be delivered to the DRC review area (Office 145, Facilities Management North) with the description of materials and where they are specified included in the electronic review documents.
  • Looks at projects with context of the site, the architectural expression of the surrounding buildings, and determines if the proposed solution fits.
    • Note the campus districts identified in the campus character site.
    • Note the aesthetic guidelines and propensity for connecting to nature through natural materials, views, and vistas.
  • Mindful of the overall budget and schedule
  • DRC, Physical Development Committee, and Master Plan Committee work together to inform campus development.
    • For example: We often have requests to approve art installations, modulars and storage containers and I have traditionally advised that the DRC can make recommendations but to allow the larger campus committees to approve/ deny.
  • DRC integrates the CSU Principles of Community and Facilities Management core values into the design review process.

First steps

  • Contact Facilities Management to have a project manager assigned the project (either Facilities Remodel and Construction Services or Capital Construction).
  • The project manager should coordinate with the campus planner and university landscape architect to ensure the proposed location adheres to the campus master plan. The university landscape architect will also ensure proposed location does not severely impact existing pavement, landscape, or irrigation.
  • The project manager should coordinate with Facilities Utilities staff to understand the potential impacts to existing or planned utilities.
  • All structures are required to be approved by the CSU Building Code Department for code compliance, regardless of use.
  • The project manager coordinates with the DRC for review process and meetings.

Committee Membership

  • Mike Rush – Chair, University Architect, Facilities Management
  • Jessica Kramer – Environmental Graphic Designer and Landscape Architect, Facilities Management
  • Kyle Presnell – Architectural Intern, Designer/Planner, Facilities Management
  • TBD – Campus Planner
  • TBD – University Landscape Architect
  • TBD – Staff Architect
  • TBD – Assistant Director Engineering & Capital Construction

Resources

Please reach out to University Architect Mike Rush for information about:

  • DRC Review Submittal Requirements
  • DRC Review Request Form
  • Review Requirements During Project Development
  • Recently Completed Projects – Architectural Kit of Parts

Please contact fac_construction_standards@colostate.edu to request a specific document from the CSU Facilities Planning, Design and Construction Standards.

Aesthetic Guidelines & Campus Planning and Design Philosophy (PDF)

DRC E-Review Process

  1. Project manager emails DRC meeting facilitator (Mike Rush) with request. Email request should include completed DRC form, drawings, pictures, etc., as applicable—all in one PDF.
  2. DRC facilitator uploads E-Review to DRC folders and Bluebeam and emails the DRC with a deadline for review.
  3. DRC members provide comments in Bluebeam.
  4. DRC facilitator emails the project manager the completed form with DRC comments. Decision will be approved, not approved, or needs additional information with guidance for next steps or resubmission.

Meetings

DRC meetings occur on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.

    • Reach out to Mike Rush to be added to the agenda.
    • Meetings are canceled if there are no agenda items or no meeting requests in advance.
    • Meetings are typically conducted on Microsoft Teams—or in person by request.
    • The DRC normally requires an on-site mockup or assemblage of proposed materials. We have traditionally accommodated these onsite visits as a group during the DRC meeting.

Meeting Process

  • Design Build Firm or AE shares screen and presents projects based on requirements set forth of the stage of development.
  • Time allowed for comments from each of the DRC members.
    • This inherently kicks off discussion and an opportunity for clarifications of intent from the industry partner.
  • Majority vote determines the outcome of the review. All votes weighted equally.
    • Includes a motion to approve with a short description of the project, an approval vote, an opposition vote, or an abstain option (if DRC member was involved in creating the work, for example).  
  • Meeting minutes are compiled and distributed to the presenting firm.
  • Integration of comments is verified between submittals and through the drawing review process on major projects.