13 minute read
DESIGN PROFILES
DESIGN PROFILE
CHANDLER ULLMANN HALL MGA Partners
At the historic center of Lehigh University’s campus, Chandler Ullmann Hall stands out with iconic red brick chimneys that identify it as one of the first collegiate chemistry buildings in the country, unique for its innovations in ventilation and safety. The original T-shaped building, designed by Addison Hutton, opened in 1883 with later additions for a West Wing in 1919 and an East Wing in 1937. While continually occupied by academic departments for over a century, during the past several decades it became tired, ineffective, and unloved. The entire building has been renovated and selectively restored for new use as the home of the Department of Psychology and the Department of Math, both popular undergraduate programs requiring classrooms, faculty offices, and labs.
Reviving the durable but rather inflexible masonry building presented several essential challenges. Originally built with little infrastructure, Chandler Ullmann Hall had endured over a century of accretive layers of ductwork, wiring, devices, and lighting—all of which had lost its usefulness. Unlike a contemporary building with chases and service zones, new infrastructure pathways are carefully introduced into the renovation so that the character of existing masonry walls and original ceilings are compromised to the least extent possible. While the program called for a large number of faculty offices, many key spatial features of the original building were honored by improving circulation patterns, by re-establishing relationships to the grand windows, and by planning large activity spaces such as classrooms in key locations. n
PROJECT: Chandler Ullmann Hall LOCATION: Bethlehem, PA CLIENT: Lehigh University PROJECT SIZE: 88,500 sf
PROJECT TEAM:
MGA Partners (Architiect) Ground Reconsidered (Landscape Architect) Langan (Civil Engineer) CVM (Civil Engineer) Langan (Systems Engineer) Wilson Consulting (Specifications) The Lighting Practice (Lighting Design) Metropolitan Acoustics (Acoustics) Lerch Bates (Elevator Consultant) Becker & Frondorf (Cost Estimator) GeoStructures, Inc. (Geotechnical Engineer) Turner Construction (General Contractor)
ITALIAN MARKET PASSIVE HOUSE BluPath Design
The Italian Market is one of Philadelphia’s unique, diverse, mixed-use neighborhoods. The Italian Market Passive House project is the first PHIUS+ certified custom single-family home in Philadelphia. There are no fossil fuels at this property: the all-electric building meets Energy Star V3, Zero Energy Ready Homes, has a HERS index of 34, and a post-completion rooftop solar array.
This design incorporates future adaptability in a ‘loose-fit layout, including an aging-in-place future elevator, a potential return to mixed-use mercantile functions of the market locale, structured for the green roof“carbon farming.” By building atop an existing warehouse, both the place’s embodied energy and cultural memory are sequestered.
Beyond energy efficiency, other sustainable features include water conservation; low toxicity materials; recycled, repurposed, and reused materials, such as milled beams for treads and dining table; low-carbon envelope systems; several Declare label products; highly efficient lighting, heat pump, hot water with PEX manifold, and energy recovery ventilation (meets or exceeds COVID recommendations). The compact core design increases synergies of efficiency in water and energy.
Changing the status quo is not easy. Unaccommodating consultants threatened to derail critical design and technical elements. The client and builder’s commitment and collaborative problem-solving team spirit were essential to overcoming obstacles. Among the rescued elements were the unique insulated flitch beam supporting the 3-pane façade fenestration, the sunshade, and the airtightness goal for PHIUS certification.
Building well and solving problems need not be a rare experience. Innovative re-use of urban buildings is essential to address our global climate crisis. This project demonstrates how outside-the-box thinking can result in new hybrid typologies to create more durable and resilient cities.
The Italian Market Passive House makes evident that 2030 energy and resiliency goals can be met today with existing materials, methods, and technologies, just add knowledge and desire. Opportunity abounds. n
DESIGN PROFILE
PROJECT: Italian Market Passive House
LOCATION: 827 Carpenter St, Phila PA CLIENT: Mark and Liana Ottaviani PROJECT SIZE: 2293 sf residence, 2150 sf workshop
PROJECT TEAM:
BluPath Design (Architect) Mark Ulrick Associates (Mechanical/Electrical/ Plumbing Engineer) Bevan Lawson, PE (Structural Engineer) Cedarville Engineering (Geotechnical) Spyglass Design (Kitchen Cabinet Design) Hanson Fine Building (General Contractor)
DESIGN PROFILE
PROJECT: FDU Spirit Bridge LOCATION: Teaneck/Hackensack NJ CLIENT: Fairleigh Dickinson University PROJECT SIZE: 200 foot long pedestrian bridge
PROJECT TEAM:
Viridian Landscape Studio (Landscape Architect) Maser Consulting (Structural/Civil Engineer) BigR Bridge (Bridge Engineer/Fabricator) BEAM (Lighting Design) Bruce E. Brooks & Associates (Mechanical/Electrical Engineer) ROOFMEADOW (Green Roof Consultant)
FDU SPIRIT BRIDGE Viridian Landscape Studio
The new Spirit Footbridge strengthens FDU’s identity, unites its campus, and showcases its commitment to sustainability.
Spanning 200 feet across the Hackensack River, the densely planted garden path replaces a crumbling concrete-and-chain link walkway connecting FDU’s split campuses. It affirms the University’s commitment to river stewardship and embodies the ongoing transformation of their campus into a sustainable eco-park. With generous shaded seating areas, outlooks for birdwatching or enjoying river views, and lush native plantings, the new bridge is more than a passage; it’s a destination.
Viridian led a multi-disciplinary team to create the new footbridge, which reuses existing piers to save on cost and resources. To maximize plantable area within challenging height and width limitations, Viridian designed a lightweight soil matrix and used hanging planters for added vegetation outside the railing. Materials were selected for their lightness, durability, and sustainability, including recycled teak sourced from an elephant conservation program in Myanmar. Plants were selected for year-round visual appeal, suitability to the bridge microclimate, and their ability to attract native birds, insects, and turtles.
The tiered landscape feels like an extension of the riverbanks. By showcasing beautiful native plants, the footbridge is changing perception on campus of what a “sustainable landscape” can be. It’s also changing campus culture. Historically, FDU has been a car-centric commuter school with few distinguishing architectural characteristics. The popular bridge quickly became a signature feature of the campus increasing pedestrian activity and giving the school a bold new space that enriches the student experience. It’s inspiring of new sense of place and a new sense of pride.
As a central piece of Viridian’s larger FDU landscape master plan, the bridge helps restore the historic river landscape, and raise application and retention rates. The Spirit Bridge doesn’t just connect the campus; it connects FDU’s past, present, and future. n
DESIGN PROFILE
PROJECT: Congreso Health Center (A Partnership with PHMC) LOCATION: 216 West Somerset St. Philadelphia, PA 19133 CLIENT: Congreso de Latinos Unidos PROJECT SIZE: 6,800 sf
PROJECT TEAM:
FIFTEEN Architecture and Design (Architect) Antoine Johnson, LLC (Owners Representative) DEDC, LLC (Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing/Fire Protection Engineering) Cloud Gehshan (Signage/Wayfinding) Boyd Project Controls (Cost Estimator) SM&W (Acoustic Consultant) Bittenbender Construction, LP (Construction Manager)
FIFTEEN Architecture + Design was the design partner for programming through construction administration for this complete demolition and fit-out of the new Health Clinic for Congreso. This project is through a partnership between Congreso de Latinos Unidos and the Philadelphia Health Management Corporation (PHMC) and is a Federally Qualified Health Center focused on primary adult and pediatric care, family planning and behavioral health. The center aims to encourage patients to make well-informed decisions with regard to their health, by providing a comprehensive and educational approach.
Through this renovation, the Congreso Health Center relocated from it’s previous location at 4th and Lehigh, to the first floor of the Congreso headquarters building in the Fairhill neighborhood of Philadelphia. The goal was to expand their space in order to meet the demands of the community and to provide amenities, such as a community room and specialty behavioral health consult rooms, that would allow Congreso to continue to serve and educate their patients. The design of the space was centered around the vibrant colors of the community and the abundant daylight and industrial character that the existing building had to offer.
This project began during the early stages of the local stay at home order due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The entire project team programmed, designed, presented and documented this facility in a 100% remote environment. Construction began in September 2020 and was completed by January 01, 2021, at which time the facility quickly pivoted to become a vaccination site serving the community. FIFTEEN and the entire team is proud to have contributed to such a meaningful project, and at a most impactful time for our city. n
DESIGN PROFILE
PENN FIRST PLUS + PAIDEIA RENOVATIONS IN COLLEGE HALL Purdy O’Gwynn Architects, Inc
Located in the first purpose-built academic building on Penn’s West Philadelphia campus, The Office of Penn First Plus is a new community gathering place and resource center for first generation students who come from modest financial circumstances. The project also includes a shared conference room and a suite of offices for the SNF Paideia Program, which integrates wellness, service and citizenship into a holistic education.
When College Hall was built in 1871, the suite now occupied by P1P was a large, open room used as a gym featuring 4 cast iron columns, high ceilings, and tall Gothic style windows with wood wainscot below. The aim of the renovation was to recapture the lightfilled simplicity of the historic room through liberal use of laminated glass and flush detailing of wood, acoustic gypsum board and quartz aggregate surfaces. Existing mechanical ductwork and piping were relocated above a dropped wood soffit in the center of the space that allowed the original high ceilings at the perimeter to be recovered.
The modern transparency of the interior was intentionally contrasted with the heavily ornamented Second Empire and Gothic exterior of College Hall. It was important to Penn leadership that the entry to The Center be clearly visible and welcoming from Penn Commons. The existing recessed porch was renovated, an enormous masonry chimney blocking the way was demolished, and a glassy vestibule was constructed to make a properly inviting entrance for the Penn First Plus community. n
PROJECT: Penn First Plus + Paideia Renovations in College Hall LOCATION: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania CLIENT: University of Pennsylvania PROJECT SIZE: 3,498 SF
PROJECT TEAM:
Purdy O’Gwynn Architects, Inc. (Architect/Interiors/Signage) Keast + Hood Co. (Structural Engineer) H.F. Lenz Company (Mechanical/Electrical/ Plumbing/Fire Protection Engineer) Metropolitan Acoustics LLC (Acoustic Consultant) Wolfe Scott Associates (Construction Manager)
SOUTHWARK SCHOOLYARD - OUR PARK A K Architecture
PROJECT: Southwark Schoolyard - Our Park LOCATION: 8th and Mifflin Streets, Philadelphia CLIENT: The Trust for Public Land PROJECT SIZE: 43,560 sf
PROJECT TEAM:
A K Architecture (Architect) Durkin Associates (Civil Engineer/Stormwater Management Design) PlayCare, Inc (Playground Consultant) The Trust for Public Land (Developer/Community Engagement/Project Visioning) Philadelphia Mural Arts (Community Engagement/ Project Visioning) The School District of Philadelphia (Owner/Funder/ Partner) The Philadelphia Water Department (Technical Review/Funder/Partner) D’Angelo Brothers Inc. (General Contractor)
Starting in 2018, A K Architecture with ThinkGreen and Durkin Associates designed a new community park with green schoolyard stormwater infrastructure improvements at the Southwark School. The Trust for Public Land managed the project development with two partners: The Philadelphia School District and the Philadelphia Water Department. Southwark Elementary School is an ethnically diverse K-8 community school of over 700 students located in South Philadelphia, providing resources to the community as well as to the students who attend the school. The construction was completed in January of 2020. The construction budget was $735,000.
The design vision for the schoolyard was to weave together the unique cultural conditions of the neighborhood ethnic communities in a conceptual and literal way.
Through a participatory community design engagement process lead by The Trust for Public Land in coordination with Philadelphia Mural Arts, three-way weaving was identified as a common cultural thread to be incorporated as an organizing principal for the site layout. The design team advanced this three-way weaving concept in the design development of the project. The overarching goal for the schoolyard is to be welcoming and safe for people of all backgrounds. This community park in the schoolyard accommodates celebrations of food, music, and dance.
The completed site improvements include playgrounds for 2-5 year olds and 5-12 year olds with porous safety surfacing, an outdoor classroom, a shaded picnic area/maker space open pavilion, an asphalt soccer pitch, and a large perimeter rain garden/stormwater infiltration basin.
The stormwater management improvements direct stormwater through the grading design and porous surfaces to the large green infiltration bed that wraps the space and is landscaped with indigenous plantings. The infiltration bed is designed to capture the first 1 ½ inches of stormwater runoff from the site. n
FABRIKA Woodcock Design, Inc.
Fabrika Dinner Theater occupies a former ice cream manufacturing plant owned by Ken Margolis, who wanted the adaptive reuse of the structure to be synergistic with the Fishtown Community. Ken’s family enjoyed the building in its ice cream manufacturing days, but what should it be now? Lasha Kikvidze and his partners Ylia Dzlieri, Alex Gritsyuk and Boris Khanataev, had the right answer according to Ken: Theater with a dash of dining (rather than the other way around).
In a neighborhood growing with a plethora of new social and entertainment spots, it would be hard to stand out, yet Fabrika has, for its wide variety of live entertainment. According Dzlieri, the “show” can be anything from burlesque to Shakespeare plays, to poets, to sword swallowers. varying greatly and always vivid.
The main hall features a round levitating stage affording visibility from all seats. Flanking the main hall are support spaces, a large commercial kitchen on one side and restrooms, complete with piano lounge, on the other. Above the piano lounge are green rooms and dressing rooms for the performers. The mezzanine is hung from the original structure above, leaving the space column-free below. An existing box crane is fixed in place, signage intact. Throughout the building, the signs of the earlier use are evident and visible.
Soon auxiliary spaces will be open for use, including a private event space over the kitchen and an outdoor “cabana” adapted from the Covid winter to a hopping summer patio. n
PROJECT: Fabrika LOCATION: 1108 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia CLIENT: A L Investors, LLC PROJECT SIZE: 11,000 sf
PROJECT TEAM:
Woodcock Design, Inc. (Architect) Space by Spielman, LTD (Kitchen/Bar Design) BHG Inc. (Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing Engineer) Cook Brown, LLC (Structural Engineer)
AL Investors, LLC (General Contractor)
What is the Forum on Architecture + Design?
AIA Philadelphia’s regional education conference is evolving from a consecutive three-day conference to three half-day symposiums over three consecutive months.
The Forum focuses on curating multidisciplinary educational content for designers, civic leaders, product manufacturers, technology providers, and real estate developers - all the industries that contribute to shaping our built environment.
October 8th | More Inclusive Profession - Led by the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee November 12th | Affordable Housing - Led by the Housing Committee December 10th | Environmental Justice - Led by the COTE Committee
For more information about each session, see pages 14-15 of this publication.
www.aiaphiladelphia.org/forum-on-architecture-and-design
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