Letter
Dear Ms. Reem:
In its meeting of 19 November, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a concept submission for additions and alterations to the Jewish Primary Day School of the Nation’s Capital, located at 6045 16th Street, NW (case number SL 16-016). The Commission approved the submission with recommendations for the development of the design.
The Commission members emphasized the importance of developing a civic presence for the school along the important axis of 16th Street, particularly in the design of the formal entrance and the public space. They recommended that the landscape design be more unified across the site, rather than appear as a series of disconnected events dedicated largely to stormwater management. They also recommended that robust canopy trees be planted along the street to reinforce the linear character of 16th Street and to define the edge of the site, while providing shading for the west facade. They suggested that the volume of the beit midrash could be emphasized further to reflect its central importance to the school community, and they questioned the narrow, linear treatment of the formal entrance within the landscape setting on 16th Street, suggesting a more generous civic gesture at this location.
The Commission looks forward to review of the next submission. As always, the staff is available to assist you.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Naomi Reem, Head of School
Jewish Primary Day School of the Nation’s Capital
6045 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20011
cc: John Wittman, Geier Brown Renfrow Architects
Sharon Bradley, Bradley Site Design