Letter
Dear Mr. McHugh:
In its meeting of 15 July, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed the revised design for landscape and site work for the United Unions Building at 1750 New York Avenue, NW (SL 10-119). The Commission did not take an action but offered the following comments and delegated the final review to the staff.
The Commission members observed commented that the revised, simplified design was much improved; however, they made several specific suggestions for further refinement. Noting the great extent of paving on the plaza, they suggested that the western portion of the plaza be converted to planting. They also noted that the west-facing plaza would receive full afternoon sun and suggested the addition of shade trees; they recommended that the proposed benches be designed to be comfortable and placed to encourage use and social interaction. As a possible alternative to the proposed vertical sculpture, the Commission members encouraged exploring the transformation of the ground plane as a work of art.
Please coordinate with the staff for the delegated final review. As always, the staff is available to assist you.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, AIA
Secretary
Ed McHugh
United Unions, Inc.
1750 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20006
cc: P. Robert George, United Unions
Yves Springuel, Mancini Duffy Winstanley