Letter
Dear Mr. Anderson:
In its public meeting of 20 October conducted by videoconference, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a final design submission for the renovation and expansion of the Francis-Stevens Education Campus at 2425 N Street, NW, for the elementary and middle school program of the School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens of the D.C. Public Schools. The Commission approved the proposal, subject to the resolution of the following comments, and delegated the completion of the final approval process to the staff.
The Commission members commended the skillful refinement of the design, and they reiterated their support for the continued use of the historic main entrance at the center of the N Street facade. For the cladding of the new additions, they suggested consideration of a darker tone for the gray flat-lock panel system, commenting that this could compete less with the expressive massing and articulation and could be more satisfactory as a visually recessive setting for the bright yellow accents.
The Commission appreciates the effort to rehabilitate this important civic facility and looks forward to completion of the school’s renovation. For further documentation of the proposal and resolution of the color selection, please continue to consult with the staff which, as always, is available to assist you.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Keith A. Anderson, Director
D.C. Department of General Services
2000 14th Street, NW, 8th Floor
Washington, DC 20009
cc: Omar Calderon, Perkins Eastman DC
Lauren Wheeler, Natural Resources Design
Renee Pean, D.C. Public Schools