Letter
Dear Mr. Singh:
During its meeting of 15 May, the Commission reviewed the concept design of the proposed Fisher House III to be located on the corner of Dahlia and 15th Streets in the Main Section of Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The members had minor objection to siting such a facility at the proposed location and they found the proposed house to be too suburban in character, the design's expression of the Georgian Style to be poorly proportioned, and the architectural details needing refinement. Several recommendations were made that could improve the appearance of the facility, including; increasing the size of the windows in the center block; using better-proportioned columns on the entrance porch; and revising the rear and side elevations so that they appear more residential than institutional. fu addition, if the overall scale of the building could be reduced, it would be a better companion to the existing Fisher House.
The common areas for the two houses should be carefully studied to make them more integrated and inviting to the guests of both houses. The members also expressed concerns with the size of the proposed parking lot on 15th Street and suggested that it be reconfigured to reduce the amount of pavement. This would allow more green space around the house, reduce the need for retaining walls, and maintain the residential quality of this portion of 15th Street. Central to this concern is there-contouring of the gentle rise in the landform to be occupied by the parking lot.
We commend the Fisher Foundation on their gift to the center. Our hope is that this facility will have the highest quality of design, one that is on par with that of the care given to the Center's patients. We look forward to the review of revisions. Please submit them when ready. As always, the staff is available should you or the design team require guidance.
Sincerely,
/s/
Harry G. Robinson III, FAIA
Mr. Harjinder Singh
Acting Director, Public Works and Transportation
Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Washington, DC 20307-5001
cc: Marjorie Marcus, Senior Master Planner, Master Planning Branch