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Press Release

News from Interactive Resources and our Point Richmond Community

Novato City Hall Historic Rehabilitation

Richmond CA, February 10, 2010 – Construction has been completed on the Novato City Hall Historic Rehabilitation Project designed by Richmond architecture and engineering firm Interactive Resources. The City of Novato engaged Interactive Resources to design the project featuring adaptive reuse of an historic church building located at 901 Sherman Avenue, to meet the current and future needs of the City of Novato for use as a council chamber, meeting space and event center. The rehabilitation of what originally was a Nineteenth Century Presbyterian church that serves as the logo for Novato began in September 2008 has transformed the interior of the 111-year-old building, while retaining its historic exterior.

The design included moving the building approximately 12 feet from its existing location and the addition of a foyer or connecting lobby to an adjoining building that was rehabilitated to include a conference room, toilets and prep/warming kitchen. The work included new foundations, structural system, acoustics, HVAC systems, and the development of a new civic green for city events.

The intent of this rehabilitation project was to bring the aging community icon up to modern codes and comfort levels while maintaining the historic integrity and adhering to a strict sustainable design approach. Some key elements of the design for 901 Sherman included building-integrated solar photovoltaic roof shingles, waterless urinals, onsite storm drainage management, drought-tolerant landscaping and recycled and low-voc materials and finishes. "Many thanks again for the beautiful work on the City Hall. Everyone that sees it ... loves it. You were the right firm for the job," Mayor Jeanne MacLeamy said.

"The Novato City Hall Historic Rehabilitation is a perfect convergence of our firm’s multi-disciplinary strengths in historic preservation, structural engineering and public architecture,” said Tom Butt, FAIA, LEED AP, President of Interactive Resources.

The Novato City Hall Historic Rehabilitation Project was designed in collaboration with Interactive Resources, who was the architect of record and structural engineer, Winzler & Kelly – mechanical and electrical, Vallier Design – landscape design, RGDL – acoustical and audiovisual, and City of Novato –civil engineering. The project manager and designer was Andrew Butt, AIA, LEED AP, the Principal-in-Charge, Tom Butt, FAIA, LEED AP and the structural engineer of record, Al Whitecar, SE. Kimberley Butt, AIA, was the historical preservation architect. itecar, SE. Kimberley Butt, AIA, was the historical preservation architect.


View of lobby / connector		Council Chamber		Dais from Lecturn