Letter
Dear Mr. Anderson:
In its public meeting of 16 June conducted by videoconference, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a concept submission for renovations of and additions to James A. Garfield Elementary School and its site, located at 2435 Alabama Avenue, SE. The Commission approved the project and provided the following comments for the development of the design.
The Commission members expressed support for the proposal to construct a new addition and landscape, to reclad the existing 1956 building, and to rehabilitate the historic 1910 building by William S. Pittman, who was the first Black architect to design a public school in Washington, D.C. They commented that Pittman should be emphasized as the primary inspirational figure for the school, and that the proposed outdoor screen element depicting Pittman should be treated as one of the most important elements in the design. They suggested honoring Pittman further by incorporating artistic interpretations of his legacy into the building interior and drawing on his work as the design is developed.
The Commission looks forward to further review of this project. Please coordinate the next submission with the staff which, as always, is available to assist you.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Keith A. Anderson, Director
D.C. Department of General Services
2000 14th Street, NW, 8th Floor
Washington, DC 20009
cc: Hiroshi Jacobs, Studios Architecture
Sharon Bradley, Bradley Site Design
Renee Pean, D.C. Public Schools