Letter
Dear Mr. Seaman:
In its meeting of 19 October, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a new concept design for Water Building 1, to be located at 670 Maine Avenue, SW, in the Southwest Waterfront development known as the District Wharf (case number SL 18-002). Expressing their appreciation for the responsiveness to their previous advice, the Commission members present recommended approval of the concept submission with the following comments.
The Commission members found the revised design to be much improved in its expression of a distinctive, idiosyncratic character within a series of buildings along the water, related in scale and materiality. They characterized the new design as elegant, and they commented favorably on the simpler and lighter treatment of the perimeter trusses. They observed that the bronze-colored metal proposed for the curtainwall contrasts well with the lighter color of the eccentric trusses, noting that the interior core is now more visible as an element of the building’s volumetric composition. They expressed support for the perimeter bench as an architectural element that enhances the public space, recommending careful study of its proportions and details for human comfort and to avoid the necessity for guardrails. They also recommended careful attention to the details at the base and top truss connections in order to realize the crisp intent of the concept.
The Commission’s consideration of the District Wharf in this meeting also included the review of revised designs for several public spaces in Phase 2, submitted by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. For your reference, the letter describing the review of these projects is enclosed.
As a quorum was not present for the review of this submission, this recommendation will be placed on the administrative agenda for confirmation at the Commission’s next meeting. The Commission looks forward to its next review of components of the District Wharf project; please consult with the staff which, as always, is available to assist you.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA Secretary
Shawn Seaman
Hoffman-Madison Waterfront
690 Water Street, SW
Washington, DC 20024
Encl.: CFA letter of 27 October 2017 on public space submissions at the District Wharf
cc: Marc Kushner, Hollwich Kushner Architecture
Jennifer Steingasser, D.C. Office of Planning
Melinda Bolling, D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs