Letter
Dear Ambassador Eliasson:
During its meeting of 20 March 2003, the Commission received a detailed informational presentation on the proposed new building for the Embassy of Sweden from Mr. Greg Hunt, Dean of the School of Architecture at the Catholic University of America, and a member of the jury that selected the design from the five Swedish teams submitting concepts for the project. The new building, to be located at 901 30th Street, NW, will be part of a two-building project. The site on the Georgetown Waterfront, between Washington Harbor complex and Rock Creek, is an important and prominent site on the north bank of the Potomac River. It is this prominence on the waterfront that obligates an exceptional design and places the building in a context to be shared with the John F. Kennedy Center, the Watergate complex and other national memorials. The concept scheme, by the Wingardh Arkitektkontor/NOD team, seems to have the required character enhance the built edge at the river and the potential to create an exceptional building. The concept was well received by both the members of the Commission and the Old Georgetown Board. We have been informed that the Georgetown Advisory Neighborhood Commission has also given the concept proposal their endorsement-altogether a very good start for the project.
The Commission is delighted with the prospect of the Swedish Government commissioning a notable design for this building on one of the city's most scenic and historic locations. As the form and massing of the structure is elegantly uncomplicated, the ultimate success of the design will require the careful selection of materials and diligent development of the details. We look forward to the formal concept review in the near future. The next meeting of our Old Georgetown Board is scheduled for 3 April and we understand that the concept design for the overall project, including the north building, will be presented at that time. The staff is available should you or the design team have questions or need guidance.
Sincerely,
/s/ Harry G. Robinson III
Harry G. Robinson III, FAIA
Chairman
Ambassador Jan Eliasson Embassy of Sweden
1501 M Street, NW, Suite 900
Washington, DC 20005