Letter
Dear Ms. Woodhead:
During its meeting of 19 December, the Commission reviewed the design for the renovation and addition to Brightwood Elementary School at Nicholson and 13th streets, NW. While the new southeast comer entry and attached forecourt create a warm invitation to learning, the use of composite material on the northern classroom wall and the elimination of the skylights on the gymnasium in the proposed addition have a detrimental effect on the overall design. Therefore, every effort should be made to replace the composite material with glass and reinstate the skylights as part of the design. Additionally, there should be more differentiation, in color or pattern, between the brick of the existing and new structures. Finally, the landscape plan should include more vegetation, particularly along Missouri Avenue where vehicular traffic is a major intrusion in that precinct of the site.
The Commission looks forward to continued review of this project. As always, the staff is available should you, or the design team, require assistance.
Sincerely,
/s/
Harry G. Robinson III, FAIA
Chairman
Sarah J. Woodhead, AlA
Deputy Director of Facilities
District of Columbia Public Schools
Planning, Design and Construction Penn Center
1709 3rd Street, NE, 3rd Floor
Washington, DC 20002
cc: Denis Glen Kuhn, Ehrenkrantz, Eckstut & Kuhn Architects
Chao-Ming Wu, Ehrenkrantz, Eckstut & Kuhn Architects