Letter
Dear Mr. Sanchez:
In its meeting of 22 January, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed the proposed final design for perimeter security barriers as part of the master plan for Judiciary Square. With the exception of the barriers and tree boxes on E Street, the Commission approved the submitted design with recommendations to improve several details in the project.
In their discussion, some Commission members commented that the three-sided fence-and-bollard enclosures at the tree boxes along E Street would be too dense and heavy in appearance and would present more of a physical and visual obstruction than necessary. The Commission did not approve the concept for this treatment and requested that the design team return with several options exploring different configurations of barrier elements to reduce the impact on the pedestrian experience along E Street.
The Commission members expressed appreciation for the refinement of the design for the stone piers and the deletion of the previously proposed monument-type building identification signs. To improve the legibility of the lettering on the piers flanking the walkways to the main building entrances, they recommended increasing the size of the letters "A" and "B" that designate the buildings. They also recommended that the new limestone cladding of the terrace wall along the north plaza of Building A match the height and coursing of the stone piers of the proposed perimeter fence to better integrate it with the new enclosure.
The Commission looks forward to reviewing options for the E Street barriers as soon as possible; the remaining portion of the security enclosure at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial should also be submitted when ready. Please coordinate with the staff for these submissions.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, AIA
Secretary
Joseph E. Sanchez, Jr.
Capital Projects and Facilities Management Officer
The District of Columbia Courts
500 Indiana Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20001-2131
cc: Michael McGill, General Services Administration
Peter May, National Park Service
Roger Courtenay, EDAW
Craig W. Floyd, National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
Michael A. Kazan, Gruzen Samton Architects LLP