Letter
Dear Mr. Hunter:
In its public meeting of 22 January conducted by videoconference, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a concept design for the construction of a new facility to replace the existing Rumsey Aquatic Center, located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood at 635 North Carolina Avenue, SE. While expressing support for the overall project, the Commission did not take an action and provided the following comments for the development of the design.
In their discussion, the Commission members commended the proposed enhancement of the public spaces around the site, including the reestablishment of access from C Street and the expanded plaza along North Carolina Avenue. They also endorsed the planning of the new building; however, they found the busy composition of spare cubic volumes to be reminiscent of the existing brutalist building and similarly inappropriate for the context, which includes the historic Eastern Market and nineteenth-century rowhouses. They strongly recommended that the design approach be reconsidered, possibly using a simpler volume in a character that is more sympathetic with the context while remaining secondary to the Eastern Market building. They suggested studying both the historic fabric and more recent contextual buildings within the Capitol Hill neighborhood as examples to emulate.
The Commission looks forward to further review of this important project for the Capitol Hill community. Please continue to consult with the staff which, as always, is available to assist you.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Delano Hunter, Director
D.C. Department of General Services
3924 Minnesota Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20019
cc: Rick Harlan Schneider, ISTUDIO Architects