Letter
Dear Mr. Hanlon:
In its meeting of 18 October, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a concept submission for additions to and renovation of the former Rudolph Elementary School, located at 5200–5210 2nd Street, NW, for use by the Washington Latin Public Charter School. The Commission approved the concept with the following comments and recommendations.
The Commission supported the intent of the proposal to expand the existing complex with a unifying architectural and landscape design. Observing that the presented drawings illustrated varying treatments of the proposed facades of the addition and its connection to the existing building, the Commission members approved the concept as shown in the perspective renderings, with a continuous loggia wrapping the gymnasium volume and extending across to the existing building. They strongly recommended that the exit stair volume at the corner of the gymnasium not protrude into the loggia, in order to realize the unifying potential of this building element. In addition, they suggested further study of the height of the loggia in relation to human scale and shelter. Finally, they recommended that the proposed double row of trees be moved to the south as a balancing counterpart to the loggia–helping to define the central "forum" space, to provide shade, and to create visual separation from the parking lot.
The Commission delegated the review and approval of the final submission to the staff, which is available to assist you with the next submission.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Brian Hanlon, Director
D.C. Department of General Services
2000 14th Street, NW, 8th Floor
Washington, DC 20009
cc: Martha C. Cutts, Washington Latin Public Charter School
Sean O'Donnell, Perkins Eastman