After a rejection earlier in the year, Frank Gehry has gotten some good news: his revised design for the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial, located in Washington, D.C., has received preliminary approval.
The National Capital Planning Commission voted 10-1 to approve the revision, according to Architecture Lab. The same commission rejected Gehry's original proposal months ago, citing concerns about the large metal tapestries proposed by the architect and how they would affect the view to and from Capitol Hill.
In September, Gehry unveiled the new design, with the metal tapestries removed along with other changes. After the approval, Gehry said in a statement: "I'm grateful to the National Capital Planning Commission for its decision, and for its cooperative engagement in resolving the issues."
According to the Los Angeles Times, members of the Eisenhower family have expressed strong disapproval of the design, even the revised version.
The memorial must go through other levels of approval before it is finalized, including funding approval from Congress; the estimated cost of construction is over $100 million.
The revised design addresses several concerns raised during the NCPC meeting earlier this year:
• The design revisions eliminate the East and West Tapestries, allowing the influence of the adjacent buildings to define and unify the site.
• The northern singular columns are set back more than 47 feet from the Independence Avenue Right-of-Way and are fully within the planes of the adjacent building facades.
• The revised design has widened the Maryland Avenue view corridor from 95 feet to 135 feet. This creates a more proportionally horizontal framing of the U.S. Capitol.
• Original concept included four columns that were within the 160-foot right of way. With the elimination of the side tapestries, the revised plan now includes only two columns within the southern edge of 160-foot right of way.
Related Stories
Cultural Facilities | Sep 13, 2016
REX reveals The Perelman Center, the final structure for the World Trade Center campus
The cube-shaped building is clad in translucent book-matched marble.
Designers | Sep 13, 2016
5 trends propelling a new era of food halls
Food halls have not only become an economical solution for restauranteurs and chefs experiencing skyrocketing retail prices and rents in large cities, but they also tap into our increased interest in gourmet locally sourced food, writes Gensler's Toshi Kasai.
| Sep 1, 2016
CULTURAL SECTOR GIANTS: A ranking of the nation's top cultural sector design and construction firms
Gensler, Perkins+Will, PCL Construction Enterprises, Turner Construction Co., AECOM, and WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff top Building Design+Construction’s annual ranking of the nation’s largest cultural sector AEC firms, as reported in the 2016 Giants 300 Report.
Events Facilities | Aug 31, 2016
New York State Pavilion re-imagined as modern greenhouse
The design proposal won a competition organized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and People for the Pavilion group to find new uses for the abandoned structure.
Performing Arts Centers | Aug 31, 2016
Sydney Opera House scheduled for $200 million upgrade
Acoustical improvements will be made alongside upgrades in accessibility, efficiency, and flexibility.
| Aug 30, 2016
CONVENTION CENTER GIANTS: A ranking of the nation's top convention center sector design and construction firms
Gensler, LMN Architects, AECOM, Turner Construction Co., and WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff top Building Design+Construction’s annual ranking of the nation’s largest convention center sector AEC firms, as reported in the 2016 Giants 300 Report.
Cultural Facilities | Aug 27, 2016
Yellowstone Park Foundation receives $1 million donation from Toyota
The money will support new eco-friendly and efficient buildings on the park’s Youth Campus.
University Buildings | Aug 16, 2016
New images of Rice University’s Moody Center for the Arts revealed by Michael Maltzan Architecture
The arts center will foster creativity for making and presenting works across all disciplines
Cultural Facilities | Aug 1, 2016
A retractable canopy at Hudson Yards will transform into a large performing and gallery space
The Shed could become the permanent home for New York’s Fashion Week event.
Cultural Facilities | Jun 30, 2016
Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects selected to design Obama Presidential Center in Chicago
With experience designing cultural and academic facilities, Williams and Tsien got the nod over other search finalists like Renzo Piano, SHoP, and Adjaye Associates.
