CFA 18/FEB/16-3

Location

1680 35th Street, NW
Washington, DC
United States

Owner
D.C. Department of General Services
Property
Duke Ellington School of the Arts
Description
Building modernization and additions
Review Type
Final
Previous Review

Letter

Dear Mr. Weaver:

In its meeting of 18 February, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed the final design submission for alterations and additions to the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, located at 1680 35th Street, NW. The Commission approved the submission with the following comments.

The Commission members expressed appreciation for the simplification of the design of the landscape, particularly in eliminating the previously proposed amphitheater, and thereby preserving the school’s formal academic landscape on the building’s historic front. For the proposed expansion of the building, they reaffirmed the appropriateness of a modern addition for a classical building and acknowledged the evolution of the design to reduce its scale and simplify its detailing. However, they commented that the appearance of the new facades proposed for this educational institution continues to suggest a commercial character.

The Commission looks forward to the completion of this important project and to reviewing any proposals for signage, which was not included in the submission. As always, the staff is available to assist you.

Sincerely,

/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary

Christopher Weaver, Director
D.C. Department of General Services
2000 14th Street, NW, 8th Floor
Washington, DC 20009

cc: Christoffer Graae, Cox Graae + Spack Architects