Letter
Dear Ms. Albert:
In its public meeting of 17 April conducted by videoconference, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a concept design for extensive alterations to the Capital One Arena, located at 601 F Street, NW. The Commission expressed appreciation for the presentation but did not take an action, providing the following comments for the development of the design.
The Commission members cited the great opportunity provided by this substantial investment of public and private resources at an important site, and they reiterated their previous advice that the goals for the project should be rebalanced to favor the arena’s role as a public facility contributing to the daily life of its neighborhood and the planning framework of the city. Accordingly, they continued to raise concerns regarding several components of the proposal and the impact on both the street-level experience of the arena and on the larger urban realm.
Regarding the proposed undulating, illuminated ETFE building wrap at the upper stories, the Commission members found that this highly prominent element—intended to unify the building and to screen the roof structures—may not be achieving these design goals. They also continued to find that the relationship of the undulating wrap with the building facades is not well resolved; they advised further study of the wrap’s function and form, including at its abrupt termination near the corner of 6th and F Streets. They supported the proposed inclusion of artwork on the exterior facades but did not find the current proposal successful; they recommended working with public artists to develop engaging and informative installations.
For the street-level interventions, the Commission members again emphasized the importance of enlivening the neighborhood with daily activity by providing outward-facing retail spaces along the building perimeter—perhaps in spaces with shallow floorplates that would still allow the accommodation of the interior retail program. They commented that relocating the arena’s mid-block F Street entrance to be closer to the Metrorail entrance may exacerbate circulation conflicts between transit riders and arena visitors within the constrained sidewalk space at the corner of 7th and F Streets; they also questioned whether the reconfigured Metrorail entrance would be sufficiently wide. In addition, they said that the large street-level digital information board proposed for this same location would create further distraction at this busy urban corner, and they advised reconsideration of this element. While they expressed appreciation for the reduced extent of digital signage on the proposed projecting horizontal band above the storefront level, they found that the continuous band itself would compromise the desirable pedestrian experience of variability and articulation; they recommended reconfiguring this element to provide more variety in responding to program needs along the building’s extensive perimeter—for example, signage, weather protection, and architectural gestures at entrances.
Finally, consistent with the above guidance, the Commission members encouraged consideration of the issues discussed in the public comment letter from the Committee of 100 on the Federal City regarding the proposal, including further design development of the entrances and other glazed openings; the art, signage, and commemorative program; and the exterior lighting and video display screens. To better document the design intent, they requested additional street-level renderings showing the appearance and character of the arena at ordinary, non-event times.
The Commission looks forward to further review of the concept design for this important project. Please continue to consult with the staff which, as always, is available to assist you.
Sincerely,
/s/Sarah Batcheler, AIA
Assistant Secretary
Nina Albert
Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 317
Washington, DC 20004
cc: Jordan Goldstein, Gensler
Monica Dixon, Monumental Sports & Entertainment