A Schematic Proposal for the Adaptive Reuse of the PWB Freight Shed

a schematic proposal for : the Adaptive reuse of the pwb train shed ADAPTIVE REUSE STUDIO SPRING 2014 AMBER FREEDMAN

The Philadelphia Wilmington and Baltimore (PWB) Train Shed, located at Broad and Washington Streets in Philadelphia, was built in 1876.

Design of the building has been attributed to the PWB’s chief engineer, Sidney Fuller.

The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014, and is a rare example of a long span freight shed, and one that utilized the Fink truss.

This project explored the adaptive reuse of the PWB Freight Shed as headquarters for a new regional facility to nurture up-and-coming visual and performing artists.

The new Philadelphia Arts Incubator (PAI) will provide studio space for visual and performance artists to develop their work, exhibit space, performance space, and classroom space for educational programming.

In addition to studio and performance space, the adaptive reuse scheme will accommodate offices for ten (10) staff members.

character defining features: fink truss cast iron brackets loading docks clerestory windows fenestration pattern form/profile interior volume roof monitors materials including brick iron and wood

PWB Freight Shed The historic Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad Freight Shed, building in 1868 remains today at the intersection of Broad and Carpenter in Philadelphia. The freight shed was built by the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad.

Many of the character defining features of the freight shed still also still exist today including the fink truss, cast iron brackets, fenestration pattern, form, interior volume, roof monitors and materials including brick iron and wood. The freight shed was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011.

The train shed is set back from Broad St and is sited at the northwest corner of the site bound by Carpenter and South 15th St. Surface parking has replaced the remaining areas of the site where rail lines historically existed.

The one contributing building on the site which is the freight shed was built in the late Gothic Revival Style.

The freight shed is constructed in brick upon a granite foundation.

The buildings in three bays wide and fourteen bays long, although the building was originally 396’6” long, it now is left at 235’ long and 130’ wide.

This change in length was due to the removal of the previously existing head house that was connected along the Broad Street side of the building which occurred in 1968.

The Fink truss spans within the 130’ width of the space at 99’5”.

The height of the building is nearly 45’ to the top of the ridge.

Statement of Significance.

Property embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction of represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity who components lack individual distinction.

What is important to note is that through the buildings character defining features, the interior and exterior reflect the buildings original and current utilitarian function and purpose.

“While contemporary materials and goods associated with the property’s use as a warehouse occupy most of the space, the character, materials, and workmanship of the original historic property are evident.

The Space is defined primarily by its volume, by allowing the freight shed to stand as an open, undivided one-and-a-half story space”.(NRHP)

carpen pwb train shed

ter st

plaza parking

housing

st

stage

broad

south

15th

st

High school For Creative Arts

proposed adaptive reuse scheme

existing conditions corner of broad and carpenter

x 10 = private offices at 160SF each

x 8 =

2 small conference rms at 320SF each

x 6 = 2 Large Conference Rms at 480SF each

x 32 = 4 classrooms at 1280SF each

o f f i c e

o f f i c e

large conference

RR

classrooms

o f f i c e

large conference

o f f i c e

o f f i c e

elevator

classrooms

o f f i c e

black box performance small conference

bridge

o f f i c e

o f f i c e

small conference

o f f i c e

entry

o f f i c e

exhibition space

OLD AND NEW AXIS emphasis on historical linear rythym layered with dynamic movement and flux

private offices

elevator classrooms black box theater

large conference room classrooms private offices small conference room entry and exhibition

private offices

small conference room

evolving artists exhibition

st

ter st

parking

broad

st 15th south

carpen

The Philadelphia Wilmington and Baltimore (PWB) Train Shed, located at Broad and Washington Streets in Philadelphia, was built in 1876.

Design of the building has been attributed to the PWB’s chief engineer, Sidney Fuller. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014, and is a rare example of a long span freight shed, and one that utilized the Fink truss.

This project explored the adaptive reuse of the PWB Freight Shed as headquarters for a new regional facility to nurture up-and-coming visual and performing artists.

The new Philadelphia Arts Incubator (PAI) will provide studio space for visual and performance artists to develop their work, exhibit space, performance space, and classroom space for educational programming. In addition to studio and performance

Philadelphia wilmington and baltimore railroad freight shed, 1876. sidney fuller

character defining features: fink truss cast iron brackets fenestration pattern form interior volume roof monitors materials including brick iron and wood

space, the adaptive reuse scheme will accommodate offices for ten (10) staff members.

OLD AND NEW AXIS goods shed north melbourne

SITE PLAN SCALE 1” = 150’0”

o f f i c e

o f f i c e

large conference

o f f i c e

large conference

o f f i c e

o f f i c e

elevator

classrooms

o f f i c e

black box performance small conference

bridge

small conference

entry

x 10 = private offices at 160SF each

x 8 =

RR

classrooms

o f f i c e

o f f i c e

o f f i c e

2 small conference rms at 320SF each

exhibition space

o f f i c e

x 6 = 2 Large Conference Rms at 480SF each

x 32 = 4 classrooms at 1280SF each

proposed Floor Plan Scale 1” = 16’0”

transverse section scale: 1”=16’0”

Adaptive Reuse of THE PHILADELPHIA WILMINGTON AND BALTIMORE RAILROAD FREIGHT SHED existing conditions

aMBER FREEDMAN

ADAPTIVE REUSE STUDIO

PROFESSOR BARUCCO

SPRING 2014

The End