Letter
Dear Mr. McGill:
In its meeting of 18 March, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed the final design for the perimeter security elements and gate complexes for the Department of Homeland Security headquarters on the St. Elizabeths Hospital West Campus. The Commission expressed appreciation for the comprehensive landscape presentation and approved the final design with the following comments.
The Commission members emphasized that the perimeter design will shape the perception of the Department of Homeland Security headquarters for the general public; they urged the General Services Administration to maintain a high quality of materials and detailing for the project. They acknowledged the revisions made in response to their previous comments and supported the overall proposal for the barrier design and for the screening pavilion at Gate 4; they recommended further refinement of the proposed security pavilion at Gate 5 associated with the day-care center, commenting that the current design may appear forbidding to the children who will enter through this gate. They supported the consistent treatment of the campus perimeter along each of the two bordering roads and observed that this could be strengthened by extending the low stone wall farther along the west access road.
In its approval action, the Commission stipulated that the final selection of materials is subject to staff inspection and approval of an on-site mockup. As always, the staff is available to assist you with future submissions.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, AIA
Secretary
Michael McGill
Special Assistant for Regional Coordination
U.S. General Services Administration
301 7th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20407-0001
cc: Thomas Mozina, Perkins + Will Architects