Letter
Dear Mr. Pachter:
During its meeting of 17 June 2004, the Commission reviewed and approved the concept design for the new courtyard roof enclosure for the Old Patent Office Building (7th and F streets), housing the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery and National Museum of American Art. The light touch with which the historic structure is treated with respect to the contemporary addition is entirely appropriate and desirable. Great care should be taken when detailing the transition between the two building systems. In addition, further refinement of the column design will allow them to be graceful without looking narrow and tenuous.
The Commission is encouraged by this exciting design and looks forward to reviewing further developments as the project progresses. In addition, please coordinate with the staff to schedule a site inspection for the members in the near future.
Sincerely,
/s/Frederick J. Lindstrom
Acting Secretary
Marc Pachter, Director
Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery
P.O. Box 37012
VB8300 MRC973
Washington, DC 20013-7012
cc: Harry Rombach, Smithsonian Institution
John Drew, Norman Foster and Partners