Letter
Dear Mr. Snider:
In its meeting of 16 July, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a revised concept design for a new mixed-use project within the central space of the L'Enfant Plaza complex, proposed to house the International Spy Museum and commercial office space (case number SL 15-140 at 900 L'Enfant Plaza, SW). Expressing appreciation for the thoughtful and comprehensive presentation of the concept design, the Commission approved the submission with several recommendations for the development of the final design.
The Commission members commended the project team for an exceptional design and program, observing that the museum will contribute to the transformation of this part of the city and will encourage the public to walk southward along 10th Street from the National Mall. While expressing strong support for the proposed projection on the west into public space, they recommended further study of the appearance of the museum building from the north, observing that the proposed design opens beautifully to the southwest but appears less welcoming from the direction of the National Mall. They commented that the complex layering of elements on the west facade of the museum building will bring richness and playfulness to an otherwise staid corridor of federal office buildings, and they recommended that the long building core on the east side of the museum incorporate more transparency into the vertical circulation spaces.
The Commission looks forward to review of the next submission of this significant project in the Southwest sector of the city. As always, the staff is available to assist you.
Sincerely,
Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Britt Snider
The JBG Companies
4445 Willard Avenue, Suite 400
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
cc: Richard Rogers, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners
Michael Vergason, Michael Vergason Landscape Architects
Elizabeth Miller, National Capital Planning Commission
Jennifer Steingasser, D.C. Office of Planning
Milton Maltz, International Spy Museum