Letter
Dear Mr. Aslanturk:
In its meeting of 21 November, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a second concept submission for two new row houses to be located on an undeveloped lot at 411 New Jersey Avenue, SE (case number SL 20-037). The Commission approved the concept with the following recommendations for the development of the design.
Consistent with their previous advice, the Commission members expressed support for the design approach proposed in Scheme B2, which establishes a strong differentiation in architectural language between the front and rear of the northern house in response to the varied urban context. They recommended further study of how the highly articulated Victorian style of the front of this house transitions to the simpler modern treatment of the rear—perhaps by adjusting the location of the transition, modifying the massing and articulation of the mansard roof, and/or minimizing the expression of the third floor at the rear. In addition, noting that the southern house will be flanked by party walls, they recommended refining its layout to allow generous natural light to reach the lower floors from above.
The Commission looks forward to review of the final design for the project. As always, the staff is available to assist you in the development of the design.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Utku Aslanturk
Dila Construction
1200 Potomac Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20003
cc: Mateusz Dzierzanowski, DZ Architecture
David Maloney, D.C. Historic Preservation Office