Tag Archives: architecture

February 7, 2026 · 8:59 am

First Look at Congressional Cemetery’s Gate House Renovation

First Look at Congressional Cemetery’s Gate House Renovation

by Larry Janezich

Posted Saturday, February 7, 2026

At ANC6B’s Thursday night meeting of the Planning and Zoning Committee, Mark Hudson, Executive Director of Congressional Cemetery, (bottom, center) introduced Hartman-Cox Architects to present concept designs for the renovation of the cemetery’s gatehouse, garage, kiosk and pergola.  The cemetery’s current vision is to be more community focused with more space for education and community engagement facilities.

Here’s a view of the proposal from the west side of the building.  The existing porch and garage will be removed.  A new  structure on the garage footprint will have restrooms, an interpretive display, a kitchen, and multipurpose space.  The entrance to the new structure will be in the middle.  A terrace in front will will be a launchpad for groups visiting the cemetery.

Here’s a view looking at the south end of the building showing the terrace. 

And the proposed first floor plan.  The second story of the main building will be extended over the one story south end of the original building to create more administrative space on the main building’s second floor.  The current E Street entrance to the building will remain funeral-focused to separate that function of the gatehouse from the more public event space.

Here’s a view of the new kiosk which will be an orientation point for the cemetery and have a fulltime staff member to take check-ins for the local canine group and possibly a gift shop and pamphlets for self-guided tours.  There will also be lockers for docents who do volunteer tours at the site.  The pergola will be a shade structure for the golf cart used to navigate the site and help people with limited mobility. 

Regarding a timeline, Hudson says, “We’re looking at this calendar year for design work and we’re still raising funds which to some extent is driving the process – and then completing construction in 3 to 4 years.”  Hartman-Cox is looking to get concept approval from Historic Preservation this year, but does not anticipate ground breaking in 2026.

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January 11, 2025 · 12:14 pm

The Design of New Jail in Hill East

The Design of New Jail in Hill East

by Larry Janezich

Posted January 11, 2025

Design team rendering of the new DC Jail at 1900 Massachusetts Avenue, SE.

Last Thursday night, Meridith Moldenhauer, Zoning Counsel for the DC Correctional Treatment Facility Project, presented current renderings of the new jail being built in Hill East to ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee, chaired by Commissioner Vince Mareino.  The new jail is in Ward 7, but Ward Six and ANC6B border Ward 7 so it has a say in how the new jail will affect the Ward 6 community.  The correctional campus is located at 1900 Massachusetts Avenue, SE. 

Moldenhauer’s task was to present a request for zoning waivers having to do with the setback from the property line and use of materials on the exterior façade of the structure. 

This rendering shows the main entrance to the institution on Massachusetts Avenue. The renderings in Moldenhauer’s PowerPoint presentation included here are those presented to the Zoning Commission in preparation for a hearing on the project’s design and zoning changes scheduled for March 17.  But those drawings from the design team of CGL Companies, CORE architecture + design and Neoscape, Inc., are currently being revised in response to a critical review by the DC Commission on Fine Arts (CFA) last November. 

CFA was critical of the design for not fitting well enough into the neighborhood (specifically the materials of the exterior) and for looking too much like a carceral institution. 

Currently, the façade has three layers – a security barrier, an opaque window wall system, with the exterior covered by a decorative perforated screen or “scrim” of pre-weathered Corten steel panels.  Moldenhauer said the intent was to make the façade look like “leaves and trees with a ‘scrim’ over the top.”  One of the critiques from CFA was that the Coren steel might darken over time presenting a more threatening visage to the community. 

Here’s a schematic of the footprint of the new structures. What will emerge on the opposite side of Massachusetts Avenue remains to be seen, since that will be up to private developers.

The timeline for the project anticipates construction beginning in 2027 and completion in 2034.  So far, only the first phase of the project has been funded by the Mayor’s budget, at $463 million.  An estimate for the final cost of the project has not yet been released. 

For an earlier CHC report, go here:  Update & Timeline for New DC Jail and the Correctional Treatment Facility https://bit.ly/3XG5T9J

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November 16, 2024 · 10:40 am

Images of the New Brent School and Project Update

Architect’s rendering of the new Brent School seen from North Carolina Avenue. The entrance is at the right.

View from North Carolina Avenue and D Street looking southwest. To maximize use of space a play area for younger students is located facing North Carolina, while the play area for older students is behind the school.

Here’s a closer view of the entrance.

The view from the corner of 3rd and D Streets looking northeast. (D Street shifts south a block after it intersects North Carolina Avenue.)

The view from D Street looking northwest showing the location of the play area for older students.

Here’s a rendering showing the building’s footprint.

Images of the New Brent School and Project Update

by Larry Janezich

Posted November 16, 2024

At last Tuesday night’s ANC6B meeting, Erika Lehman from the DLR Group design team presented the plan and architectural renderings for the Brent School modernization project.  The school is located at 3rd and North Carolina SE.  The raze-and-construction timeline anticipates that the new building will be ready to open in the fall of 2007. 

DLR Group will take over occupancy in August of 2025.  Demolition will be complete by the end of the year and construction of the new building will begin thereafter.  During the closure, students will attend the former Meyer Elementary School at 2501 11th St NW.  Free busing will be provided and depart from a location near Brent. 

Project Overview – Brent’s modernization will include:

  • Upgraded classrooms and community spaces with improved technology.   
  • Enhanced safety features – modern security systems and updated building infrastructure.
  • Green spaces – new outdoor areas for play and learning
  • Accessibility improvements.

For more, go here:  https://www.brentelementary.org/our-school-2/modernization

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