Letter
Dear Ms. Cooper:
In its meeting of 18 June, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed the revised concept for the renovation of and addition to the Mount Pleasant Neighborhood Library at 3160 16th Street, NW. The Commission approved the general concept of adding to the rear of the building and requested that the design be further developed for a future submission.
The Commission members complimented the design team on its inventiveness in expanding and providing accessible entry for this cherished historic building; they noted with appreciation the commitment of the D.C. Public Library to restoring the property. However, the Commission members expressed disappointment with the proposed form and architectural language of the addition, which they characterized as too aggressive, unsympathetic to the historic building, and formally arbitrary in relation to the ingenious plan. Instead, they recommended that the addition be quieter and more supportive of the historic building. Acknowledging the alternative of locating the accessible entry at the front of the building—as proposed in the previously submitted scheme which was not approved—the Commission members advised that the design of the entrance, ramp, and garden requires further study that should be informed by the architectural treatment of the addition.
The Commission looks forward to seeing the further development of the design in a future presentation. As always, the staff is available to assist you with the next submission.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, AIA
Secretary
Ginnie Cooper, Chief Librarian
District of Columbia Public Library
901 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
cc: Henry Myerberg, HMA2
Dale Stewart, CORE Architecture + Design