Letter
Dear Ms. Wright:
In its public meeting of 18 January conducted by videoconference, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a concept submission for a new below-grade garage, screening facility, and associated landscape to be located at Gate 1 on the historic St. Elizabeths West Campus, the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The Commission approved the concept design and provided the following comments.
The Commission members expressed appreciation for the design, which features three linked security screening pavilions, clad in stone and glass, on top of a 1,500-space subterranean garage, and set within a broad meadow-like landscape. Noting the use of rough stone walls elsewhere on the campus, they requested the development of an option for the pavilions that uses split-face stone cladding as an alternative to the stone with a smooth finish as proposed. They also suggested the use of bird-safe glazing, and they requested additional information describing any potential impacts to the nearby residential community from the mechanical ventilation system for the below-grade parking. Finally, they expressed strong support for the use of native plants in the proposed meadow and woodland landscapes; if appropriate, they encouraged pursuing an official designation of the St. Elizabeths West Campus as an arboretum.
The Commission looks forward to further review of this project that supports the planned development of the National Historic Landmark campus. Please coordinate the next submission with the staff which, as always, is available to assist you.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Mina Wright, Director
Office of Planning & Design Quality
General Services Administration, National Capital Region
1800 F Street, NW, Suite 4400
Washington, DC 20405
cc: Toby Hasselgren, ZGF
Hallie Boyce, OLIN
Tom Chaleki, U.S. Department of Homeland Security