DR Narrative
1008 W. Main Street , Boise, Idaho 83702 www.colearchitects.com 208.345.1800
February 25, 2021
City of Meridian Community Development
Planning Division
33 E. Broadway Ave., STE 102
Meridian, ID 83642
RE: Administrative Design Review Application
Northpoint Recovery Center
East State Avenue
Meridian, ID 83642
Project Narrative:
The proposed project consists of a new approximately 30,000 square foot single-story building for
Northpoint Recovery Center.
1. Architectural Character:
a. Cohesive Design: The surrounding neighborhood buildings contain a wide variety of
materials, colors, and architectural styles including but not limited to stucco, brick,
stone, metal panel, storefront, and wood. The proposed project will respond and
enhance the existing context with similar building materials, massing that responds to
the pedestrain scale, as well as improvements to the existing pedestrian network.
b. Building Scale: A combination of parapets, gabled and shed roofs provide variation
to the buildings roof line. With this, the addition of detailed elements such as wood
beams and clerestory windows help to provide relief and variety to the building’s
single-story profile. The proposed building is bounded by a two-story commercial
building to the east (the closest neighbor), three-story residential apartments to the
north of East State Avenue, and undeveloped land to the south and west of the
property. The project will be proportional to adjacent buildings in that its features will
respond to the pedestrian scale through such elements as fenestrations, low roof lines,
and smaller scale materials such as stone.
c. Building Form: Modulation in both the height and depth of the building helps to
reduce the building masses and façade planes. Overhangs from the building’s multi-
pitched and parapet roofs help to provide further relief on each plane. At the
pedestrian level, fenestrations, stone, and horizontal siding are used as the primary
cladding, with vertical accent siding used as a bridging element.
d. Architectural Elements: Stone, fenestrations, and horizontal siding help to contrast with
the vertical accent siding that bridges the primary building masses together. The
building materials are used holistically throughout, with no one side being looked at
as “the back” or “less important”. The entry is framed with rows of wood columns and
beams that extend outwards into a larger plaza. The single-story form prevents the
appearance of large blank walls at any location. Mechanical equipment is
integrated within the architecture with the use of mechanical screens and roof wells.
1008 W. Main Street , Boise, Idaho 83702 www.colearchitects.com 208.345.1800
e. Materials: The primary exterior materials are to be wood, stone, and fiber cement. The
horizontal fiber cement siding and stone serve as the primary materials while the
vertical accent siding helps to “bridge” the various wings of the building together. The
stone material helps to provide mass and permanence to the building and the
fenestrations in this mass helps to add depth.
f. Signs and/or Lighting: Code required site lighting will be used throughout the project
along with complimentary building accent lighting to help soffen and highlight some
of the building features. All lighting will be in conformance with the City’s Ordinances
and requirements. Two monumental surface-lit signs and one internally-illuminated
letter sign are intended and will be located as indicated in the attached elevations
(signs to be permitted separately).
2. Parking Lots: Approximatly 43 asphalt surface parking spaces are proposed. The project will
meet all required parking, loading, and accessible parking spaces as required by code.
Landscaping is to be a combination of shade trees, grasses, shrubs, low plantings, and low
site walls that will also serve as casual seating.
3. Pedestrian Walkways and Facilities: Accessible sidewalks provide a connected and direct
network for pedestrian access from East State Avenue and the parking lot to the buiding’s
main entry.
Please see the attached drawings for additional information.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jennifer Mohr, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Project Architect, Cole Architects, PLLC