CFA 19/SEP/19-4

Dear General Matz:

In its meeting of 19 September, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a concept design submission for a new visitor center building at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten near Maastricht. The Commission approved the proposal, providing the following recommendations for the development of the design.

The Commission members expressed appreciation for the clear and well-organized presentation; they characterized the design as elegant and compatible with the existing cemetery. They recommended further study of the circulation patterns to ensure that the progression to and from the visitor center, the memorial, and the parking lots is apparent for visitors and easy to negotiate. Noting the compelling diagram presented of a wood box within a concrete shell above a stone base, they suggested that the use of more wood in the interior of the visitor center could help reinforce the design and provide a warm contrast to the concrete of the building’s structure and exterior fascia.

The Commission looks forward to further review of the design for this important project. As always, the staff is available to assist you with your next submission.

Sincerely,

/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary

Major General William M. Matz, Secretary
American Battle Monuments Commission
2300 Clarendon Boulevard, Suite 500
Arlington, VA 22201-3367

cc: Vincent Panhuysen, KAAN Architecten