• By Stephen Staudigl
• November 02, 2017

NCPC Provides Feedback on Revised National Air and Space Museum Exterior Improvements

Washington, DC—The National Air and Space Museum, which opened in 1976, is one of the most visited museums in the world. The Smithsonian Institution plans a major renovation of this popular destination, and submitted revised concept plans for NCPC’s review that included potential changes to the museum’s exterior, including the terraces, landscape, and vestibules.

The Smithsonian reduced the scope of the submission due to budget constraints. Changes include the elimination of the following project components: four entry plazas and benches at each corner of the museum site; solar panels from the main building roof; the south canopy along Independence Avenue; and the water feature associated with the Delta Solar sculpture on the site’s west side. Other changes include a revised landscape plan and the use of cast-in-place exposed aggregate concrete for the terrace paving material, except at the museum entrances, which will incorporate granite pavers.

In its comments, NCPC requested that the Smithsonian submit a revised design for the west plaza that incorporates several items, including a year-round water feature for the Delta Solar; site amenities; programming for outdoor events; and low impact paths through the site’s trees. The Commission noted that since the project’s submission, and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts review on October 19, the Smithsonian committed to retaining a water feature for the Delta Solar that will be included in the next review phase (preliminary, anticipated to come before the Commission in February 2018). NCPC requested a streetscape plan that incorporates benches near bus stops, building entrances, and terrace corners, as well as bicycle facilities including racks and a Capital Bikeshare station. It also requested that the Smithsonian retain the south entrance canopy as an option if future funding permits.

Next, the Commission provided favorable comments to the District Department of Transportation on the concept design for the 11th Street Bridge Park. The project will reuse the old piers from the former 11th Street Bridge, constructed in 1960, to create a park and community destination that will cross the Anacostia River and connect the Washington Navy Yard and Anacostia Park.

The Commission noted that the park would increase community connections and create welcoming and vibrant spaces for civic and local uses. They requested that the applicant provide a lighting plan for the next review submission, and coordinate with the Department of the Navy regarding any security impacts to the Washington Navy Yard, and with the National Park Service regarding any proposed features in Anacostia Park and the pedestrian and bicycle connections to the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail.

A 2014 nationwide design contest won by OMA + OLIN initiated the project. The 132,294 gross square foot bridge will include a café, public art, urban agriculture, a performance space, launch areas for kayaks & canoes, a playground, and an environmental education center.

Before adjourning, the Commission provided comments on a concept design submitted by the Department of the Navy, on behalf of the U.S. Air Force, for a new Consolidated Communications Center at Joint Base Andrews. The 4,436-acre base has a daytime worker population of approximately 17,000 and is home to various commands from the Department of Defense, Maryland National Guard, Maryland State Police, and District National Guard. The new 98,684 square foot, two-story building will serve as the Consolidated Communications Center for the Air Force’s 89th, 744th, and 844th Squadrons.

In its comments, NCPC noted that the concept was very difficult to analyze due to the lack of an up-to-date master plan for Joint Base Andrews. It found the center’s concept plan to be generally inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan’s goals, policies, and strategies outlined in the Department of Defense Unified Facilities Criteria Manual for installation master plans, and requested that the Navy submit a revised plan that reconciles the proposed site and design with these guidance documents. The Commission also requested several items be included in the next submission to help it better understand the project’s larger context. These include a draft master plan showing future development at Joint Base Andrews; a high-level street and block plan for the area surrounding the center; a plan of the surrounding street network; current and future parking facilities; and a landscape plan for the surrounding area that includes stormwater management goals.

This month’s agenda also included approval of one consent calendar item (no presentations):

• Preliminary and final site development plans for a University Boulevard stormwater management pond, Northwest Branch Stream Valley Park, University Boulevard and West Park Drive, College Park, Maryland (7915).

The Commission voted to postpone review of the following consent calendar item until its December 7, 2017 meeting.

• Final site development plans for a new guard booth and fence augmentation at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Nebraska Avenue Complex, 3801 Nebraska Avenue, NW (7903).

In addition, the Executive Director approved four items, under authority delegated by the Commission. The final agenda and staff recommendations are online.

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