Letter
Dear Mr. Hunter:
In its public meeting of 17 July conducted by videoconference, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a revised concept design submission for a new recreation center building and landscape improvements for the Congress Heights Recreation Center at 611 Alabama Avenue, SE. The Commission approved the concept design with the following comments.
The Commission members endorsed the revised design, composed of two separate volumes—one clad with light blue-gray vertical panels with a bronze-colored metal storefront system, and the other in a system of dark-green ribbed metal panels—that together would read as a unified composition. Regarding the landscape, they recommended reducing the amount of pavement to the minimum necessary for access and gathering, while increasing the extent of planted areas. They suggested further study of opportunities to reduce the project’s embedded carbon and increase on-site renewable energy generation. Finally, they suggested additional consideration of the placement and legibility of signage at the two approach routes.
The Commission looks forward to the completion of this welcome addition to the Congress Heights community. As always, the staff is available to assist you with the development of the final design submission.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Delano Hunter, Director
D.C. Department of General Services
3924 Minnesota Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20019
cc: David Bagnoli, StudioMB
Peter Nohrden, D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation