COMMENTS RE 'DESIGN FOR LIVING IN CIA' PUBLICATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP87-01130R000200220005-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 17, 2014
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: April 19, 1984
• Content Type: MF

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/01/17: CIA-RDP87-01130R000200220005-9
19 April 1984
MEMORANDUM FOR: Chairman, Fine Arts Commission
FROM:
FAC Member, PP&SS/P&PD/OL
SUBJECT: Comments Re "design for living in CIA"
Publication
1. I would like to offer the following comments/
observations/suggestions re the FAC concern over the above-
referenced publication:
a. Print in color.
b. Front cover turns me off - perhaps an aerial shot
of the compound as a wrap around cover (front and
back)?
c. Use of lower case type outdated.
d. Size (6"x 8") somewhat unusual, but nevertheless
convenient. Might consider change...samples of
private industry employee publications?
e. Wrong seal on first page.
f. Consider updated statement from current DCI.
g. Text needs updating, refinement, i.e., Rendezvous
Room no longer exists, long draperies in the
cafeterias (?), new building plans, FAC address
not same as in current phone directory (see last
page).
h. More content to fill up blank pages (due to the
booklet being a saddle-stitch publication).
i. Page 3 layout bothers me in comparison to other
pages. Nothing wrong with white space, but the
other pages look crowded in comparison.
2. I think that the overall tone of the narrative could be
improved (hope you didn't write it!). May I suggest that perhaps
the CIA/UVA off-campus writing course take a shot at it?
3. I think that we are fortunate in having such a beautiful
campus environment for our workplace, and that this point needs
to be "advertised" to our personnel. And that they must be
willing to share the responsibility for keeping it nice.. .inside
and outside. I hope that these comments are of value.
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STAT
STAT
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/01/17: CIA-RDP87-01130R000200220005-9sTAT
SUBJECT: (optional)
? Comments Re "design for livinp in CIA" Publication
L
ROUTING AND RECORID SHEET
EXTENSION NO.
PPGSS/P&PD/OL
TO: (Officer designation, room number, and
building)
DATE
RECEIVED
FORWt RDED
OFFICER'S
INITIALS
Dt.TE
19 April 1984
COMMENTS (Number each comment to show from whom
It whom. Draw a line across column after each comment.)
-
USE P V
EDITIONS
Ii
11 IflitJI iI JillNAM EMI LAM
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L,
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uuttlity w Lam
at CIA
Few government agencies have the good
fortune to be located in a rural, woodland
setting such as ours, where the passing of
nature's seasons can be observed close at
hand. The Northern Virginia countryside is not-
ed for its beauty, and the George Washington
Memorial Parkway is one of the area's most
scenic drives.
For the Headquarters employee these sur-
roundings are part of an atmosphere that is
unique to the Agency and unparalleled in offi-
cial Washington. The care and tastefulness that
governed the site selection and design of the
building are obvious to visitor and employee
alike. The parkway on one side and Dolley
Madison Boulevard on the other serve the two
entrances, yet no traffic can be seen or heard
from the grounds. Carefully trimmed grass and
trees border roadways that curve easily
through the compound with a minimum of cor-
ners or signs. Shrub and flower plantings, pro-
fessionally designed and tended, provide
changing vistas year-round. Even a nature walk
wends its way quietly through one of the wood-
ed areas for those who prefer a closer touch
with the untrimmed and untrammeled.
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The Headquarters Building, designed by
Harrison and Abramowitz and completed in
1961, was carefully designed to fit comfortably
into these natural surroundings. The repeating
lines of the recessed windows are broken only
by the cantilevered portico at the front and the
low arches of the cafeteria in back. The rectan-
gular expanse of the upper floors sits comfort-
ably on the curving form of the enlarged first
floor. Natural light enters offices not only along
the facade but through three major courtyards,
providing a maximum of exterior rooms.
Inside the building, the size and spacious-
ness of the exterior setting is immediately obvi-
ous in the design of the front hall, where the
glass doors of the entrance face the central
countyard windows. The corridors surrounding
the courtyard have been hung with a series of
oil portraits of former directors and a selection
of Washington Color School art generously
loaned by Mr. Vincent Melzac, a noted collec-
tor. These are placed to take best advantage of
the natural light from the inner windows.
In addition to the artwork in these corri-
dors, the Exhibit Corridor (ID) serves as a
permanent display area for a series of rotating
shows and collections. These are loaned by
organizations such as the Smithsonian, as well
as by individual employees. The annual exhibits
of employee art and employee photography are
shown here.
An interesting decor surrounds each of the
first floor elevator wells. Due largely to employ-
ee effort, early maps of Rome, London, St.
Petersburg-Leningrad, and Paris have been en-
larged and mounted on these walls. Also, each
level of many stairwells is marked with numer-
als in different languages. For those interested,
the languages, starting from the first floor, are:
Cambodian, Amharic, Arabic, a French military
symbol, Cyrillic, Mandarin, and Thai.
Bulletin boards and showcases of an-
nouncements and awards are placed in the
hallway around the public service area of the
first floor. Additional displays of posters are
carefully limited to specific spaces in entries
and elevator areas
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Tfle WorK
Environment
As one moves from the public areas of the
building into work areas, the sense of unified
design is maintained by the introduction of
brightly colored doors and accent panels com-
plimenting the off-white walls. Signs which uti-
lize photographic film for easy updating identify
the offices.
Those familiar with the Headquarters
Building are well aware of the great variety of
style and decor with which Agency personnel
surround themselves. They are also aware of
the difficulties involved in creating a pleasant
environment ir what are often crowded condi-
tions. While it is impossible to address the
specifics of each work area, there are certain
tips that can contribute much to improving the
space we have.
To the extent possible, the clean lines and
open space which are the predominant features
of the building's design should be reflected in
the arrangement of each office. Because many
rooms and work areas are small, it is particular-
ly important that they be free from clutter.
The first step toward designing the best
work environment is to make a critical inven-
tory of the furniture, eliminating all but the most
necessary. Passageways should be cleared,
bookcases cleaned out of outdated or unused
material, and file and safetops cleared of un-
necessary items.
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A common office practice is to hang pa-
pers on walls and partitions where they are
available for ready reference. Although this is
often useful information, the result can look
chaotic. To the maximum extent possible, these
papers should be removed and consolidated
into readily available notebooks. This step by
itself can contribute significantly to a sense of
added space and restful surroundings.
Although the Agency's limited supply of
wall hangings is used to good advantage in
many offices, employees can provide additional
variety and interest by supplementing these
with their own reproductions or originals. A
tasteful collection of these, carefully hung, can
add an element of depth and personality to the
surroundings.
Unlike furniture or posted notices, an office
rarely has too many plants. They add warmth to
large and small rooms alike and are inexpen-
sive to buy and maintain. Most house plants will
thrive under fluorescent lights and few, if any,
need a green thumb to survive. They are a sure
way to provide color and depth. However, for
the most part, plants must be supplied and
cared for by employees.
The building and grounds of CIA reflect the
quality and professionalism of its employees.
Each office space can and should reflect those
same standards. The use of open space, clean
lines, and tasteful, imaginative decoration can
add new dimensions to the atmosphere of the
work environment.
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Headquarters
Expansion
For the next few years the normally tranquil
Headquarters area will be disturbed by a major
construction project. Smith, Hinchman & Grylls
has designed an annex to our building which
will compliment and extend the lines of the
original structure and preserve much of the
wooded environment, it will be built into the
hillside west of the existing cafeteria and will
consist of two low towers connected by an
atrium. The outer surface of the office towers
will consist of horizontally and vertically divided
green tinted glass, designed to be compatible
with the existing Headquarters facade. The
atrium itself will contain an employee services
concourse arid will lead to an exit to the new
parking building. The main entrance to the
complex will remain in the original building.
The design of the courtyard space between
the two buildings preserves the existing large
trees near the cafeteria. Its plantings, park
benches, tables, and pathways will be in full
view of the atrium of the new building as well as
the existing cafeteria and will provide an attrac-
tive space for employees' use.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/01/17: CIA-RDP87-01130R000200220005-9