Letter
Dear Mr. Albert:
In its meeting of 17 January, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed and approved the revised concept design for the Walker-Jones School, including a public library and recreation center that will be incorporated into the project. The Commission congratulated the project team for its well-articulated design, commenting favorably on the building and landscape elements and their contribution to the urban context.
The Commission members affirmed their support for the general configuration of the building and placement of the programmatic elements. They recommended that the detailing for classroom windows, not shown accurately on the renderings, be refined to include sufficient depth to provide a substantial shadow line that will prevent the appearance of an overly flat facade. As the design is further developed, they said it would be critical to keep the proposed basket-weave pattern of the dark-colored brick and to detail the light-colored masonry to avoid the appearance of utilitarian concrete block. The Commission members also recommended that trees be considered in the courtyard to provide shade within the primary students' play area.
The Commission looks forward to reviewing the final design at your earliest convenience. As always, the staff is available to assist you.
Sincerely,
/s/
Thomas E. Luebke, AIA
Secretary
Neil O. Albert, Deputy Mayor
Government of the District of Columbia
Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development
The John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 317
Washington, DC 20004
cc: Cornell S. Brown, Jr., D.C. Public Schools
Jason Willock, Office of the Deputy Mayor
Peter Winebrenner, Hord Coplan Macht
Erika Lehman, Regan Associates