The Latest Design for the Georgetown West Heating Plant

• September 7th 2017

by Nena Perry-Brown

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In May, the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) offered unanimous support for the conceptual design of the redevelopment of the West Heating Plant in Georgetown, but the commissioners also cited a desire to see a “less literal” and more differentiated reinterpretation of the existing building. Last night, landscape architect Laurie Olin and building architect Sir David Adjaye presented an updated design of the planned building and adjacent public park to ANC 2E.

The Four Seasons, in partnership with Georgetown Companies and the Levy Group, is seeking to redevelop the site at 1051-1055 29th Street NW (map) into a 60-unit luxury residential complex, along with an elevated one-acre public park.

One of the main criticisms from the CFA was that the design of the park was too “suburban” and needed to reference the industrial nature of the site. In response, Olin reconsidered the styles and materials used in the park, drawing inspiration from existing elements like the concrete orthogonal slabs and mechanical conveyor belts. For example, the fountain will gather and re-circulate rainwater in multi-tiered troughs, the lawn will be at a slight incline and the pergola will be steel with wisteria rather than wood-based.

As for the edifice itself, Adjaye took cues from the steel frame and truss system of the building as originally constructed, while continuing the idea of incorporating moving mechanical parts seen in both the heating plant and the most recent design. Consequently, the newest design seeks to “reveal the building’s true nature”, Adjaye explained, presenting a concept that has more glass and plays with the horizontal lines of the building by highlighting the series of trusses beneath and adding large metal balconies along the east facade.

Citizens’ Association of Georgetown president Bob vom Eigen shared a letter from the group at the meeting noting that CAG had unanimously voted to support the new concept. The ANC ultimately voted in line with its previous votes: taking no position on the demolition of the plant, yet offering support for the project if it is approved by the relevant agencies.

The CFA will consider the new design on September 20, followed by a review from the Historic Preservation Review Board in early November and a meeting with the mayor’s agent in January for demolition approval.

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/a_new_look_for_the_georgetown_west_heating_plant1/12975.