Letter
Dear Mr. Eichler:
The Commission reviewed the final design for the rehabilitation and additions to the Woodson High School, 55th and Eads Streets, NE, during its 16 October meeting and made a few recommendations to further improve the design. On the rear wall of the new academic wing, the members felt that even more windows (or larger windows) could be incorporated to relieve the large expanse of the flat wall, as had been suggested previously. The other area that should be reconsidered is the parking area and landscaping at the main entrance to the building. There seems to be sufficient room to reconfigure this area so that parked vehicles are not directly in front of the building. The parking spaces could be moved further away from the entry or relocated to other parking areas elsewhere on the school lot. This will allow for more green space at the entrance and a more welcoming appearance to those arriving at the school.
In addition, next to the main doorway, the plans indicated, but did not detail, a sculptural item that was to recall the school's "tower of power" theme. The creation of a sculpture for this area could be an opportunity for a design competition, either in-house or by invitation to local artists. Either way, this item is well worth additional consideration.
The Commission looks forward to further review of this project as the design is finalized. Please forward the revised drawings, including detail landscape plans, when ready. As always, the staff is available should you or the design team require guidance.
Sincerely,
/s/
Donald A. Capoccia
Vice Chairman
Mr. Herbert Eichler, P.E.
Chief, Military/SFO Section
Milltary /SFO Management Branch
Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District
P.O. Box 1715
Baltimore, MD 21203-1715
cc: Sarah J. Woodhead, AIA,DCPS
Justina Nesbitt, U.S.Army Corps of Engineers
Conrad Judd, SHW Group, Inc.