Letter
Dear Mr. Hunter:
In its public meeting of 20 April conducted by videoconference, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a concept design for the renovation of and additions to the Truesdell Elementary School and its site, located at 800 Ingraham Street, NW. The Commission approved the submission and provided the following comments.
The Commission members expressed support for the proposal to replace the existing 1960s wing with two new additions to the east and south of the historic school, and they expressed appreciation for the skillful use of the site’s sloping grade to reduce the scale of the new buildings. For the development of the design, they suggested further study of the southern addition’s overhanging roof, which they said appears over-scaled and possibly too high to provide adequate weather protection or sun shading. They also cautioned that the proposed outdoor program spaces may not be sufficient for the projected student population, and they recommended consideration of incorporating additional program space for students on the site.
The Commission looks forward to further review of this project. Please coordinate the next submission with the staff which, as always, is available to assist you.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Delano Hunter, Acting Director
D.C. Department of General Services
2000 14th Street, NW, 8th Floor
Washington, DC 20009
cc: Brian Gruetzmacher, VMDO Architects