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MEKUS STUDIOS LTD SUNSET FUNERAL HOME AND CEMETERY CONCEPT REVIEW SUBMISSION ST ANTHONY,MINNESOTA MEMORANDUM FROM CHARLES NELSON MEMORANDUM FROM CHARLES NELSON In April,the Alderwoods team began working with Mr.Charles Nelson an Independent consultant Mr.Nelson is the retired State Historical Preservation Architect with over 30 years of experience In the field. Mr.Nelson surveyed the existing administration building and reviewed the designs for the proposed new funeral home. Mr.Nelson has provided valuable suggestions on the project and feels the project could be a successful replacement for the existing administration building. Some of the comments Mr.Nelson highlighted' Memorandum TO Alderwoods Group FROM Charles W Nelson,Historical Architect DATE 14 April 2005 SUWECr Preliminary Design Review Sunil Funeral Home and Cemetery Thank you for the opportunity to review preliminary reports,plans and specifications abemt ions,now of which has been deemed to be satisfactory Therefore,it has relative to proposed work for the Sunset Funeral Home and Cemetery.This property, been concluded that the current structure will be replaced by a new seniawe of established in 1971,is a significant example of landscape design applied to cemeteries in compatible design This budding will be situated in the soma position as the the early twentieth cemury,the result being a memorial park consisting of broad expanses existing,fanning a gateway to the park and an architectural anchor to the cast end of lawn,wmdmg drives,and a dastmctrve central boulevard anchored at either end by a of the mill. chapel and gmehoase/admmistimron building.The principal monument ofthe park is the • The design of the proposed strrrctare aspects the existing architectural palate by Tower of Memories,erected at the midpoint of the boulevard,in perfect balance with the incorporating the flavor of the English Jacobean Revival in roof and gable Innes, , flanking rows of cedar trees.Cmicerred by noted landscape architects Morell and fenestration,and extenor materials. I would, however,suggest that further Nichols,the park represents a significant example of this Minnesota firm's design investigation be made as to the pane arrangement for the proposed windows to expertise As such,the property appears to men the criteria for niommataon to the incorporate either a diamond or smaller rectangle mumm penin The design is National Register of Historic Places not a replica of the existing building,nor almuld it be It is both honest and respectful With the above considerations in mind,i visited the site and now offer the following • Suggestions for conservation and integration of uistmg historical features into comments the new building mclude reincorporation of the distinctive fireplace mantle and • The central boul—rd/mall is a most significant design feature.Alteration of this mural into the reception arta of the new structure and conservation of the three feature would certainly adversely impact the eligibility of the property for any prominent leaded glass window panels from the out facade Although salvo of future consideration for historic atams.The wmpooents mqunruig preservation the oak paneling in the reception twin of the existing building tray nes be include the continual Ime of cedar trees and the central green.Removal of trees to practical,it a strongly advised to provide a similar paneling in the new reception provide parking would present a negative impact by interrupting the continuity of errs. planting.Removal of the central green fir parking would have a similar unpnet. • Overall,I am quite Impressed with the efforts that hale gone into making this As a compromise measure,1 suggest that the existing green be reduced to the project successful.The proposed design is sensitive to the significant historic minimum allowable in width to provide for parallel parking along the boulevard chanscs r of Sunset Memorial Park whale addressing the reads of the cemetery when needed This measure would provide parking and ma ntam the original long coo tho future. design intent Whcn vowed from various points along the=14 the impact would be negligible. • The wrreu gatehouse/administration building is a contributing element to the design of the park.It is executed in a variant of the English Jacobean Revival style,and is faced in a gmy gramte similar to that used in the chapel and town,as well as gateposts It is extremely limned in available space and,as such,has become fowmaraRy obsolete to mirrena needs.The architects have investigated alternatives to removal of this structure that include various addniore and PROJECT NO.20425 Page-5 Apr 1119,2005