Architects and historical preservationists are calling on Metro to immediately suspend painting the vaulted walls and ceiling inside Union Station, arguing that Metro’s plan to brighten up the station interior could irrevocably harm the design of the iconic public space.
“We are concerned that the work, however well-intentioned, creates a substantial change to the architectural character of this exemplary transit system,” wrote Thomas Luebke, secretary of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts.
“We request that the work be suspended in order to assess its technical rationale, its aesthetic impact, and its long-term effect on the station,” he added.
The Washington chapter of the American Institute of Architects also weighed in on Friday, warning that the act of covering the exposed concrete with a veneer of white paint “interferes with the design character of the stations” and could end up saddling Metro with significant long-term expenses for cleaning and repainting.
“We strongly urge you to stop the painting and to look for another solution that will not harm the look of the Stations nor cause a continuing maintenance cost,” wrote the group’s president, Carolyn Sponza, and executive director, Mary Fitch.
The controversy first cropped up earlier this week, when commuters noticed the white paint creeping up the walls inside Union Station. Architecture wonks were quick to point out that the new coat of paint was not in-keeping with the stations Brutalist aesthetic. (Brutalism is an architectural style popular in the 1960s and 1970s that is notable for its reliance on raw, exposed concrete; the Washington Metro is one of the best-known examples of the style in North America.)
(!) #WMATA is breaking the cardinal rule of Brutalism by painting the vault at Union Station. pic.twitter.com/P6vhQho8wE
— Matt' Johnson, AICP 🏳️🌈 (@Tracktwentynine) March 28, 2017
When Metro was questioned about the criticisms from architecturally-savvy passengers, spokesman Dan Stessel said the paint job was an attempt to give Union Station some special treatment and respond to riders’ requests “for brighter stations, which also helps them feel safer and more secure.”
“While power washing was considered, years of dust, dirt, and grime coating the vault cannot effectively be cleaned and does little to move the needle when it comes to brightness,” Stessel said.
On Friday, there appeared to be no backtracking at Metro.
“Union Station is the only location where painting is underway or planned,” Metro spokeswoman Sherri Ly said Friday evening. “Metro will consider next steps after completion.”
The paint job inside Union Station is estimated to cost $75,000 to $100,000.
The American Institute of Architects also argued that new LED lights slated to be installed inside the station would be more than adequate to increase the level of brightness for commuters waiting on the platform. By also painting the walls white, the group said in their letter, Metro might even make the station “uncomfortably bright.”
The transit agency drew similar criticism 25 years ago, when architects objected to officials’ decision to apply a light gray sealant to the interior of Farragut North station.