NCPC File #: 7910 Renwick Gallery Exterior Permanent Signage

Washington, DC

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Smithsonian Institution

Preliminary and Final Project Information

Commission meeting date: October 5, 2017 NCPC review authority: Approval : Federal Project in the District of Columbia (40 U.S.C § 8722 (b)(1) and (d) Applicant request: Preliminary and final approval Delegated / consent / open / executive session: Consent NCPC Review Officer: Webb NCPC File number: 7910

Project summary: The Smithsonian Institution is requesting preliminary and final design approval for permanent exterior signage at the Renwick Gallery. The Renwick Gallery is a National Historic Landmark that was originally constructed as the Corcoran Gallery of Art beginning in 1859. Located at 1661 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, the Renwick Gallery is also in the Lafayette Square National Historic District The Renwick Gallery completed a substantial rehabilitation of the building in 2015, which included replacing outdated mechanical systems, exterior and interior rehabilitation work, upgrading building systems and improved universal accessibility. Following the completion of most of the work, new signage was installed on the exterior of the building, without approvals from any agencies, including NCPC. In order to comply with the National Park Service “Save America’s Treasures” grant awarded to the Smithsonian Institution to assist in the rehabilitation, the installed signage must be revised in a manner so that there is concurrence of “no adverse effect” under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. During the Section 106 consultation process, including discussions with the District of Columbia State Historic Preservation Office and other consulting parties, the submitted signage package was agreed upon to result in “no adverse effect”.

The permanent exterior sign package for review consists of two freestanding signs mounted on the existing posts behind the areaway ironwork, one situated at the west corner of the Pennsylvania Avenue façade, and one situated at the south corner of the 17th Street façade. The signs will be centered between the sandstone pilasters and below the windows on the corner mansard on both elevations. The signs will be mounted to the existing posts installed into non-historic concrete paving. Each sign panel will feature a dark gray finish color, with aluminum channel letters attached directly to the sign panels. The sign panels will be 3.25” in depth, and the channel letters 1.25’ in depth. The dimensional letters will feature a white finish color on the letter faces, and a red finish color on the dimensional returns The signs will be 12’3” in width, and 1’11” in height, for 23.5 square feet. The proposed signs consists of 60% reduction in scale from the existing signs. 2 Project Information

Project summary: In addition to the freestanding signs, a new transom sign is proposed over the main entrance on Pennsylvania Avenue. During the Section 106 consultation process, the Smithsonian received comments that the Pennsylvania Avenue façade is currently visually cluttered with signage. Existing on the façade are two fence mounted signage plaques, several small fence mounted signage plaques, and façade banners that temporarily display exhibit information. To reduce visual clutter, the Smithsonian proposes to remove the two large fence mounted signage plaques, and to incorporate this signage information on the glazed transom above the main entrance. The design was inspired by the signage in the glazed transom prior to the building renovation. Of the small fence mounted signage, only the National Historic Landmark plaque will remain on the fence. The new transom signage will be surface applied to the glazing and will feature a bronze color to complement the finish on the main entrance doors.

3 Site Location

4 Site Location and District Boundary Map

5 Renwick Gallery Existing Pennsylvania Avenue Facade

6 Renwick Gallery corner of 17th St and Pennsylvania Ave Existing

7 Existing Context Conditions

8 Existing Context Conditions

9 Section 106 Documentation

10 Section 106 Documentation

11 NEPA Documentation

12 Proposed Design of Freestanding Signs

13 Proposed Design Freestanding Signs Details

14 Proposed Design of Freestanding Signs Renderings

15 Proposed Design Transom Sign Rendering

16 Proposed Design Transom Sign Details

17 Proposed Pennsylvania Avenue Façade Rendering

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