Design Review Committee
The Design Review Committee reviews exterior campus conditions and proposals, including structures, signage, modifications, and site development work, primarily within the Fort Collins area campuses.
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Use the links below to quickly find DRC overview information, membership, resources, and meeting details.
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.
Review Process
- Large projects exceeding $2,000,000 require a formal DRC meeting.
- Smaller projects may be reviewed through either the formal meeting process or an electronic review process.
- DRC utilizes Bluebeam for electronic reviews and coordination.
- The electronic review process may also be used to verify or document direction provided during formal DRC meetings.
- Exterior material samples may be delivered to the DRC review area (Office 145, Facilities Management North). Material submissions should include descriptions and references within the electronic review documents.
- DRC evaluates projects within the context of the site, surrounding architectural character, campus districts, and overall campus aesthetic guidelines.
- The committee considers the use of natural materials, connections to nature, campus views and vistas, project budget, and schedule impacts throughout the review process.
- DRC collaborates with the Physical Development Committee and Master Plan Committee to help inform broader campus development decisions.
- For requests involving art installations, modular buildings, or storage containers, DRC may provide recommendations while larger campus committees retain approval authority.
- DRC integrates 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 through either Facilities Remodel & Construction Services or Capital Construction.
- The project manager should coordinate with the campus planner and university landscape architect to confirm the proposed location aligns with the campus master plan.
- The university landscape architect will also evaluate potential impacts to existing pavement, landscaping, and irrigation systems.
- The project manager should coordinate with Facilities Utilities staff to understand impacts to existing or planned utilities.
- All structures must be reviewed and approved by the CSU Building Code Department for code compliance, regardless of use.
- The project manager coordinates with DRC regarding the review process, submittals, and meeting scheduling.
Committee Membership
The Design Review Committee includes representatives from Facilities Management planning, architecture, landscape architecture, and engineering teams.
- 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
- Kartik Shah — Campus Planner, Facilities Management
- Jenny Burkhalter — University Landscape Architect, Facilities Management
- Erin Hylton — Staff Architect, Facilities Management
- Tracey Abel — Assistant Director, Engineering & Capital Construction, Facilities Management
Construction Standards Requests
To request documents from the CSU Facilities Planning, Design and Construction Standards, contact the Construction Standards team.
Email for Construction Standards
Facilities Management is actively working to improve accessibility and usability of construction standards documentation and resources.
Resources
Access Design Review Committee resources, review guidance, and electronic review process information below.
DRC Resources
- Contact University Architect Mike Rush for information regarding:
- DRC Review Submittal Requirements
- DRC Review Request Form
- Review Requirements During Project Development
- Recently Completed Projects – Architectural Kit of Parts
- Aesthetic Guidelines & Campus Planning and Design Philosophy (PDF
DRC E-Review Process
- The project manager submits a request to the DRC meeting facilitator (Mike Rush), including the completed DRC form, drawings, images, and supporting documentation combined into one PDF.
- The DRC facilitator uploads the review materials to the DRC folders and Bluebeam and distributes the review deadline to committee members.
- DRC members review and provide comments within Bluebeam.
- The facilitator returns the completed review form and DRC comments to the project manager. Decisions may include approved, not approved, or additional information required with guidance for next steps or resubmittal.
Meetings
DRC meetings occur on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month from 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
Meeting Information
- Reach out to Mike Rush to be added to the agenda.
- Meetings may be canceled if there are no agenda items or meeting requests submitted 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. These site visits are traditionally accommodated as part of the DRC meeting process.
Meeting Process
- The Design Build Firm or AE presents project materials based on the current stage of development.
- Time is provided for comments and discussion from DRC members, including clarification of project intent with the industry partner.
- A majority vote determines the outcome of the review, with all votes weighted equally.
- Voting may include approval, opposition, abstention, or requests for additional information. Abstentions may occur if a DRC member was involved in creating the work under review.
- Meeting minutes are compiled and distributed to the presenting firm.
- Integration of comments is verified between submittals and throughout the drawing review process on major projects.