Letter
Dear Ms. Mendelson-Ielmini:
In its meeting of 19 September, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a concept submission for a new Wall of Remembrance at the Korean War Veterans Memorial, located near Independence Avenue in West Potomac Park. The Commission approved the concept design with the following comments.
The Commission members commended the proposal for its careful integration of the new wall with the memorial’s historic design and for its responsiveness to current conditions. They requested further refinement of how the new wall meets the existing mural wall, suggesting that this might be treated as a deliberate gap or reveal. They expressed support for the addition of a gradual berm behind the new wall, which they said will make the landscape and memorial a more coherent composition. Finally, they questioned the proposal to list the names of the dead according to military rank and branch of service, suggesting that a less hierarchical arrangement may be preferable.
The Commission looks forward to the review of the final design of this addition to the Korean War Veterans Memorial. As always, the staff is available to assist you in the further development of the concept design.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Lisa Mendelson-Ielmini, Acting Regional Director
National Park Service, National Capital Region
1100 Ohio Drive, SW
Washington, DC 20242
cc: Mary Kay Lanzillotta, Hartman-Cox Architects