Letter
Dear Mr. Fisher:
In its meeting of 16 April, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a second concept design submission for a new White House visitor screening facility to be located beneath Sherman Park and along East Executive Avenue, NW. Reiterating its support for the project to improve security at the White House complex, the Commission approved the submission and provided the following comments.
The Commission members expressed appreciation for the responsiveness to their previous advice, and they found that the revised design would be worthy of its important setting and its role as the visitor entrance to the White House. In their support of the overall project, they provided recommendations for the refinement of the elements of the design. For the entrance at the south side of Sherman Park, they requested adjusting the proportions of the composition to have more robust columns, a more substantial entablature, and a minimal attic in order to create a less top-heavy appearance. They commented that the “White House Visitor Entrance” sign proposed for the attic is neither necessary nor appropriate, recommending instead the use of the presidential seal or motifs from it on the frieze. They recommended that the walls flanking the entrance be traditional masonry walls in running bond; they also suggested consideration of stepping the low south wall along E Street in the center to reflect the strong axis and articulating its higher facade along the entrance plaza. In general, they supported lowering the height of the retaining walls that define the sunken plaza by approximately eighteen inches, in addition to lowering the top of the central entrance portal. Recognizing that much of the architectural material of the demolished East Wing has been salvaged, they recommended study of its reuse in the new complex, both interior and exterior.
For the above-grade exit pavilion, they commended the revised design as appropriate in scale and character for its context, and they acknowledged that the design team continues to study reducing its footprint and articulation of the facades. They suggested that the north porch be redesigned to have three wide openings separated by paired columns, which would better accommodate the required exit doors and improve the composition.
For the interior of the screening facility, the Commission members identified an awkward configuration of the corridor connecting to the exit pavilion; they recommended creating a round or octagonal transitional space at the west end of the cleared visitor area that would allow a right-angle turn to the corridor leading north under Hamilton Place. In addition, they recommended that the interior spaces be as gracious, beautiful, and inspiring as possible to avoid the appearance of airport security; they suggested reuse of the salvaged wood paneling from the former East Wing visitor entrance, as well as possible displays along the underground corridor.
The Commission appreciates the work of the project team in developing the design for this important security project in such a sensitive context, and looks forward to further review of the next submission that addresses these comments. Please coordinate the submission with the staff which, as always, is available to assist you.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Joshua Fisher, Assistant to the President
Director, Office of Management and Administration
Executive Office of the President
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
cc: Andy Stohs, U.S. Secret Service
Jeff Harner, AECOM
John Stanwich, National Park Service
Marcel Acosta, National Capital Planning Commission
David Maloney, D.C. Historic Preservation Office