Letter
Dear Mr. Ahmed:
In its meeting of 15 May, the Commission of Fine Arts again reviewed the design for a new visitor screening facility at the entrance to the Pentagon adjacent to the Metro station. The Commission did not take an action to approve the concept, again expressing a lack of support for the fundamental assumptions of the proposed design.
In their discussion, the Commission members acknowledged the response to their previous request for additional background information but found it inadequate as justification for the proposed entrance configuration. Reiterating their dissatisfaction with this proposal in the larger context of the main working entrance to the Department of Defense, they expressed disappointment that other design strategies had not been developed that would respect the symmetrical context and create a dignified sense of arrival for visitors and employees alike. They suggested a range of potential solutions within the overall guidance of symmetry—such as a centralized entrance, separated entrances flanking the center, paired entrance structures, and vertical separation of the employee and visitor entrance routes.
The Commission encourages the Department of Defense to continue to consult with the Commission staff which, as always, is available to assist you.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Sajeel S. Ahmed, Director
Washington Headquarters Services
Department of Defense
1155 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301–1155
cc: Jean O'Toole, Dewberry Architects