The Navy is considering an extensive redesign of the Washington Navy Yard building where 12 workers were gunned down last month.

A contract for repairs to Navy Yard Building 197 directs the contractor to create ``a different sense of place'' to soften the impact on returning occupants.

The Navy says it hasn't decided whether Naval Sea Systems Command will still be headquartered in the five-story, red brick building damaged by the shootings on Sept. 16.

Bethesda, Md., consultant Rich Harwood helped Newtown, Conn., devise a proposal to demolish the elementary school were 26 people were killed in a shooting last December, and to build a new school nearby.

He says the Navy's decision isn't about a building, but about whether people are ready to move from trauma and despair to healing and hope.