Letter
Dear Ms. Gibbs:
In its meeting of 16 February, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed the concept design submission for the renovation of and additions to the Parkside Building on the Lowell School campus at 1640 Kalmia Road, NW (case number SL 12-043). The Commission approved the concept design with the following comments and delegated review of the final submission to the staff.
In their review of the project, the Commission members commented that the proposed stair tower at the building entrance appears compositionally out of character with the other elements of the project and would benefit from further refinement. They suggested that the exterior of the tower be either all glass or a stucco wall with a series of punched window openings similar to those of the existing building. In addition, they recommended that the treatment of the building's main entrance be developed to make it visually more prominent.
As delegated, the staff is available to assist you in the development, review, and approval of the final design.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Debbie Gibbs, Head of School
Lowell School
1640 Kalmia Road, NW
Washington, DC 20012
cc: Richard Salopek, Bowie Gridley Architects