Letter
Dear Mr. Anderson:
In its public meeting of 15 September conducted by videoconference, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a new concept design for a proposed community recreation center building and activity fields at 1929 15th Street, SE, adjacent to Ketcham Elementary School. The Commission approved the concept submission with the following comments for the development of the design.
The Commission members expressed support for the reconceived design, citing the improved connection with the neighborhood and the creation of an inviting public space, with a large porch and terrace at the building’s entrance adjacent to the pedestrian promenade. They endorsed the simplified design of the building volumes and commented that the porch will fit well within the neighborhood context. However, they recommended further refinement of the scale and character of the porch and adjacent trellis, suggesting that a more solid roof may be desirable for additional shade and shelter. They questioned the large amount of glazing proposed at the ground level of the gymnasium for functional reasons, and they noted the awkward junctures of some interior walls with the exterior glazing on the street facade. For the passage into the promenade, they commented that the entrance should appear entirely open when the gate is retracted, instead of like a control point; they strongly advised eliminating the horizontal support bar above the gate. They also recommended working with neighborhood residents on the development of the artistic graphics proposed for the fence at the recreation center’s entrance area.
The Commission looks forward to further review of this important new community facility and requests that the applicant team consult with the staff in the development of the final design.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Keith A. Anderson, Director
D.C. Department of General Services
2000 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
cc: Edgar Moreno, DLR Group
Bruno Carvalho, Carvalho & Good
Brent Sisco, D.C. Department of Parks & Recreation