Letter
Dear Mr. Otteni:
In its meeting of 17 February, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a revised concept proposal for additions, facade alterations, and site modifications to the office building at 500 North Capitol Street, NW (case number SL 11-049). The Commission did not take an action on the proposed design and offered the following comments.
The Commission members expressed strong concern about the treatment of the east facade along North Capitol Street, which forms part of the frame of the open space between the U.S. Capitol and Union Station. They noted several important urban design issues that should be considered in the proposal: the long and unobstructed views to the site, its context of monumental buildings, and the continuity in the wall of existing buildings along the west side of North Capitol Street. Therefore, they recommended a simpler and more uniform treatment of the east facade, without the framed end pavilion, so that it appears to be a single building, using only one or two of the proposed curtainwall types. They noted that the south facade along E Street could be treated differently in response to the finer grain of this narrower street which does not have the broader urban significance of North Capitol Street.
The Commission looks forward to the review of the next submission. As always, the staff is available to assist you.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Peter Otteni
Boston Properties, Suite 800
505 9th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20004
cc: Jeff Barber, Gensler
Anne Adams, Goulston & Storrs