Letter
Dear Ms. Todman:
In its meeting of 22 January, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a final design submission for the Capitol Quarter Community Center at 1000 5th Street, SE, as part of the Arthur Capper–Carrollsburg redevelopment project. The Commission approved the building design with several recommendations but did not approve the site design, requesting that it be further developed and resubmitted for review.
The Commission members were generally supportive of the building design, recommending more solar control for the extensive glazing on the west facade; they noted that shade trees could be used as a passive strategy to achieve this goal, and would also benefit the users of the playground. However, they criticized the site plan as overly complicated for the small amount of space available, and they recommended a more unified site design strategy rather than the multiple separate landscape areas as proposed. They recommended that the landscape more clearly emphasize the entrance, and they questioned the inclusion of elaborate foundation plantings at the expense of amenities such as shade trees. They also recommended redesigning the playground to avoid the perception of a caged play area along the sidewalk, suggesting that any fencing be carefully designed to contribute to the aesthetic character of the playground and streetscape.
In its general support of the project and approval of the architectural design, the Commission requested the review of a revised submission for the site design. As always, the staff is available to assist you in completing the review and approval of this project.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Adrianne Todman, Executive Director
District of Columbia Housing Authority
1133 North Capitol Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
cc: Robert Wallach, Torti Gallas and Partners