Letter
Dear Mr. Lew:
In its meeting of 19 June, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed the revised concept design for the replacement of the H.D. Woodson Senior High School at 5500 Eads Street, NE. The Commission members commented on the improved treatment of the public entrance plaza on the north and reaffirmed their overall support for the building’s layout and architecture, provided that the design can be developed to resolve satisfactorily the configuration of the main student entrance.
The Commission reiterated its concern with the treatment of this main entrance, the primary focus of the submission, and recommended further study to establish an appropriate hierarchy of the entrances in relation to each other and to the overall design of the building and site. As one approach to resolve this issue, the Commission members suggested the placement of the main entrance on the broad south facade fronting on Eads Street and Marvin Gaye Park; alternatively, they require further refinements to the entrance and plaza at the proposed location to improve the relationship to the overall design.
The Commission noted the large number of students and staff who will use the main entrance and recommended that its operational needs, as well as its role in establishing the identity of the institution, be carefully considered. Due to the variety of student arrival routes, the possibility of multiple entrance points was also recommended for further consideration.
The Commission looks forward to a further submission addressing these issues. As always, the staff is available to assist you.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, AIA
Secretary
Allen Y. Lew, Executive Director
Office of Public Education Facilities Modernization
District of Columbia Public Schools
2400 East Capitol Street
Washington, DC 20003
cc: Paul Taylor, D.C. Public Schools Chester Bartels, SHW Group