Letter
Dear Mr. Anderson:
In its public meeting of 21 July conducted by videoconference, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a concept design for 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. The Commission approved the concept submission with the following comments to guide the development of the design.
The Commission members expressed support for the thoughtful design, which provides for the continued use of the historic school in conjunction with modernization and additions to meet contemporary needs. Noting the civic presence of the historic school building in relation to the dense urban neighborhood to the south, they emphasized the importance of the school’s relationship to the open space of the Rock Creek & Potomac Parkway toward the rear and sides of the building. Accordingly, they suggested better integration of the interior and exterior spaces, a greater emphasis on natural materials, and additional perspective views from more distant vantage points along the parkway property. They expressed appreciation for maintaining the school’s dignified south facade along N Street and for the continued use of the central doorway as the school’s primary entrance. In considering the entirety of the building’s presence along N Street, they observed that the character of the brick addition to the east, dating from the 1950s, is compatible with the historic school’s design vocabulary, and they suggested consideration of a comparably sympathetic treatment for the street facades of the proposed addition to the west. At the northeast, they supported the placement of a skylight above the new dining commons, allowing for appreciation of the existing brick facades.
The Commission looks forward to further review of this project. 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