Many of us believe that the initial process that permitted the demolition of the original East Wing did not meet the rigor expected of such an undertaking. Perhaps based more on long-standing customs than codified regulations, that process resulted in the irreplaceable loss of a large part of a national landmark. What follows in its place must unequivocally be an improvement – architecturally, historically, and symbolically.

As the NCPC proceeds with its review of the East Wing Modernization Project, I wish to highlight several specific, enforceable obligations that guide your authority. The Commission is required to: review proposals for consistency with the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital; advise the submitting agency; approve or disapprove construction with respect to location, height, bulk, number of stories, size, and the provision of open space; and fulfill its obligations under the National Environmental Policy Act.

My thirty-year career in historic preservation has consistently demonstrated that a thorough and iterative design review process makes for better projects – both for applicants/owners and for the communities affected by the project. With careful attention to architectural context, detailing, and the broader impacts on surrounding spaces, design proposals can evolve in ways that meet contemporary needs while honoring heritage and human conditions.