Letter
Dear Mr. Hanlon:
In its meeting of 20 September, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed and approved the concept submission for a replacement building for Ballou Senior High School, located at 3401 4th Street, SE. The Commission members commented that the revised scheme has benefited from the simplification of the elevations, making suggestions for further development of the design.
In their discussion, the Commission members suggested that the proportions of the narrow windows at the auditorium and the natatorium, reminiscent of high–security architecture, be refined to create more gracious openings. For the exterior building materials, the Commission members recommended that the alternative of light–colored brick may be better than the proposed precast panels, commenting that the scale and color of the brick could express more positively the modern design of the building's exterior. Overall, they recommended that the project team continue to simplify the design elements.
In its approval of the concept design, the Commission delegated the final review to the staff, including resolution of the remaining outstanding issues such as the inclusion of green roofs. As always, the staff is available to assist you with the final submission.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Brian Hanlon, Director
D.C. Department of General Services
2000 14th Street, NW, 8th Floor
Washington, DC 20009
cc: Calvert Bowie, Bowie Gridley Architects
Curtis Clay, Perkins + Will