Letter
Dear Mr. McGill:
In its meeting of 19 April, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed the proposed redesign for the alteration to the ventilation intakes at the J. Edgar Hoover Building located at 935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.
The Commission regrets the change from the previously approved scheme to a structure that aggravates a hostile environment for the pedestrian along public space. However, the Commission members said that the project offers an opportunity to transform the ventilation enclosures—elements that are intrusive on the streetscape—into something that is beautiful for the city and its inhabitants. They recommended that the design team study options to redesign these enclosures to incorporate an artistic treatment such as sculpture, decorative surfaces, and lighting, to mitigate the imposition of the enclosures on the urban experience.
The Commission looks forward to the review of a new submission that treats the enclosures in a more positive manner. As always, the staff is available to meet with you for assistance.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, AIA
Secretary
Michael McGill
Special Assistant for Regional Coordination
U.S. General Services Administration
301 7th Street, SW, Room 7600
Washington, DC 20407-0001
cc: Teresa Hueg, Wisnewski Blair and Associates