Letter
Dear Ms. Shelby:
In its meeting of 18 September, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed and approved a revised concept design for the proposed replacement of building facades at Metropolitan Square, located at 655 15th Street, NW (case number SL 14-163). In their support for the project, the Commission made the following comments and recommendations for the development of the design.
Commenting that the design of the facades has much improved, the Commission members expressed support for the change in facade type from a glass curtainwall to a masonry-and-glass skin at the upper stories of the 15th Street side of the building. They recommended refinements of the design of the enclosure at the top two stories of the other facades to accentuate the tripartite composition of base, middle, and top; these could include a slight increase in the setback of the glass, a further narrowing of the piers at these floors, and some added emphasis to the spandrel below this portion of the facade. They also suggested further study of the material of the intermediate spandrels, commenting that the metal panel appears less elegant in the renderings than would a glass spandrel.
The Commission looks forward to review of the next submission. As always, the staff is available to assist you.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Caitlin Shelby
Boston Properties
2200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20037
cc: Jeff Barber, Gensler
Andi Adams, Goulston & Storrs