Letter
Dear Mr. Hunter:
In its public meeting of 18 May conducted by videoconference, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a concept design submission for a new three-story addition and associated site modifications at Alice Deal Middle School, located at 3815 Fort Drive, NW. The Commission did not take an action and provided the following comments for the development of the design.
The Commission members expressed appreciation for the thoroughness of the presentation, and they acknowledged the complexity of the undertaking to construct yet another addition to this constrained historic school campus. However, while recognizing the pressing need to replace the temporary classroom trailers with permanent space, they expressed deep concern regarding the continuing ad hoc approach to construction at the largest middle school in the District of Columbia, and they urged the development of a long-term vision for future expansion on this campus.
In addition to the lack of a larger vision for the campus, the Commission members found that the submission does not adequately document the proposal’s relationship with the varied existing built context. In order to bring more coherence to the numerous architectural expressions, they suggested further study of the window alignments and proportions of the new addition in relation to the school complex, as well as the color and texture of the proposed brick, with the goal of creating a design that is compatible with the existing facade treatments. They commented that the proposed curtainwall system lacks articulation and may appear too much like a commercial storefront, and they questioned the projecting form of the glazed corner bay, finding that it introduces an architectural gesture that seems to work against the goal of knitting together the discordant additions. Finally, they questioned the proposal to provide primary access to these new classrooms using only an exterior entrance.
For the next submission, the Commission requests the development of additional drawings and renderings of the existing and proposed conditions, which will allow for a full assessment of the proposed design. As always, the staff is available to assist you.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Delano Hunter, Acting Director
D.C. Department of General Services
2000 14th Street, NW, 8th Floor
Washington, DC 20009
cc: Paola Moya, Moya Design Partners
Eric Joerdens, Ashley McGraw Architects