Letter
Dear Mr. Hunter:
In its public meeting of 16 May conducted by videoconference, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a concept design for the renovation and expansion of J.O. Wilson Elementary School and its associated landscape at 660 K Street, NE. While expressing support for the general planning and massing of the project, the Commission did not take an action and provided the following comments for the development of the concept design.
The Commission members expressed appreciation for the thoughtful analysis and the respectful treatment of the existing Modernist building along the street frontages, endorsing the strategy of demolishing the octagonal rear wing to allow for a larger new addition along the north side of the existing classroom block. However, they observed that the proposed rear additions would introduce a variety of new materials that they found to be overly complicated, resulting in a patchwork that delineates each element of the new construction and competes with the clarity of the existing building. They expressed support for the limited use of metal panels for some of the added volumes, but they suggested a darker color to make these elements more recessive. They recommended using a brick more closely matching the existing facades in order to achieve greater unity in the design; they noted the opportunity to salvage the existing brick from demolition of the rear facade for reuse in the new construction.
For the front entrance, the Commission members expressed general support for the proposed reconfiguration to accommodate the grade change at a new elevated entrance plaza instead of within the school’s lobby, but they commented that the proposed design treats the ramp as an appendage to the plaza and entry sequence. Instead, they recommended developing a more gracious and welcoming solution for universal access, such as by better integrating steps and ramped access within the center of the plaza or by sloping the ground plane from the sidewalk to meet the desired plaza level. They also requested more information about the character and intent for the remainder of the K Street frontage as part of the next submission.
Please continue consulting on the development of the concept design 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: Jeannine Otieno and Lina Taheri, Perkins Eastman DC
Renee Pean, D.C. Public Schools