Letter
Dear Mr. Reyes-Gavilan:
In its public meeting of 15 May conducted by videoconference, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a final design submission for the new Parklands-Turner/Congress Heights Library, to be located at 1304 Alabama Avenue, SE, on Parcel 18 of the St. Elizabeths East Campus. The Commission approved the final submission with the following comments.
The Commission members expressed appreciation for the responsiveness to their previous advice and commended the revised library design, including the reduction in the amount of glazing and the incorporation of sustainability features. They endorsed the introduction of wooden louvers in the library’s interior for sun control, observing that these are appropriate for the mass timber framing system and would give visitors the impression of being within a beautifully unified wooden structure.
The Commission members provided several comments for consideration by the project team. They suggested exploration of further reducing the appearance of the rooftop mechanical screen, perhaps through adjustments to its profile or material.
In addition, reiterating that the expansive south entrance plaza would lack shade, they again recommended planting large canopy trees in this location—which they observed would also express confidence in the future, an appropriate design gesture for a library.
The Commission looks forward to the completion of this important civic building on the St. Elizabeths East Campus. In order to complete the final review process for the project, please coordinate the documentation of any revised details with the staff which, as always, is available to assist you.
Sincerely,
/s/Sarah Batcheler, AIA
Assistant Secretary
Richard Reyes-Gavilan, Executive Director
D.C. Public Library
901 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
cc: Carl Knutson, Perkins&Will
Brian Bolen, ParkerRodriguez