PRECEDENTS
PHOTOS: CHRIS KENDIG
More than 200 advocates for Philadelphia's sacred spaces joined the Community Design Collaborative and Partners for Sacred Places to launch Sacred Places/Civic Spaces on June 5th, 2018 with the Design Challenge Launch and the Precedent Exhibition Opening. The event featured The Reverend Timothy Safford of Christ Church in Philadelphia. Heidi Segall Levy and Rachel Hildebrandt introduced the sites, congregations, community partners and announced the design team matches. The Community Design Collaborative and Partners for Sacred Places asked the design community to share best practices in positioning purpose-built sacred places as community hubs. These projects – built, in-progress, or yet-to-be-built – begin to demonstrate how underutilized space in purpose-built sacred places can be activated in ways that expand the civic commons and strengthen communities. The eight projects that follow are representative of the 23 precedents on exhibition at the Center for Architecture and Design, June 1 - July 31, 2018.
28 SUMMER 2018 | context | AIA Philadelphia
BRYN MAWR PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Atkin Olshin Schade Architects
Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church is a 3500-member community church known for its preaching, teaching and music ministries. The magnificent sanctuary is regularly the site of musical vespers educational forums, in addition to worship services. Our sanctuary renovation features acoustic, mechanical and aesthetic improvements to enhance the activities in the existing 1927 structure. n
PROJECT: Multiple Renovations & Restorations LOCATION: Bryn Mawr, PA CLIENT: Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church PROJECT COMPLETED: 2003 PROJECT TEAM: CVM (Structural Engineer) Levine & Co. (Roofing Consultant)
FIRST UNITED METHODIST
PHOTOS: BAILEY EDWARD
Bailey Edward
PROJECT: First United Methodist Church Renovation and Restoration LOCATION: Chicago, IL CLIENT: First United Methodist Church
Built in 1924, First United Methodist Church (FUMC) is a community staple located on the main floor of a 24-story high-rise in downtown Chicago. The sanctuary required updates to accommodate the changing needs of the congregation and to increase community outreach while honoring its historic character. Moreover, the lower level Pierce Hall, held the opportunity to become a shared, multifunctional community space. n
PROJECT COMPLETED: 2008
AIA Philadelphia | context | SUMMER 2018  29
CONNELLY HOUSE
BWA Architecture + Planning PHOTOS: DON PEARSE
Connelly House was built where there once stood an underutilized older structure which housed a CYO and parish offices. The site sits at the interior of a block at the rear of the Gothic Revival St. John the Evangelist Chruch and rectory. Served only by narrow back streets, the area was often favored by the homeless who chose to sleep outside and avail themselves of anyhting the church might provide. n
PROJECT: Connelly House LOCATION: Philadelphia, PA CLIENT: Project HOME, Bethesda Project, Archdiocese of Philadelphia PROJECT COMPLETED: 2013 PROJECT TEAM: Bruce E. Brooks & Associates (Mechanical, Engineering, Plumbing) Hunt Engineering (Structural and Civil) ReVision (LEED & Sustainability)
ST. RAYMOND'S HOUSE
Blackney Hayes
St. Raymond’s House is located at 7919 Forrest Avenue in the Cedarbrook neighborhood of Philadelphia. The building was built in 1953 and is a three-story, low-rise, 16,600 square foot former vacant convent of the active St. Raymond of Penafort parish that has been rehabilitated and converted into permanent supportive housing with 27 single room occupancy (SRO) rental units. n
PROJECT: St. Raymond's House LOCATION: Philadelphia, PA CLIENT: Depaul USA PROJECT COMPLETED: 2015 PHOTOS: DOMUS CONSTRUCTION
PROJECT TEAM: Domus Construction (General Contractor) MacIntosh Engineering (Structural Engineer) Community Ventures (Developer)
30 SUMMER 2018 | context | AIA Philadelphia
THIS ARTICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED IN THE SUMMER 2018 ISSUE OF AIA PHILADELPHIA’S CONTEXT MAGAZINE
Sacred Places/Civic Spaces is a partnership between the Community Design Collaborative and Partners for Sacred Places to re-envision underutilized, purpose built religious properties as community hubs. The eighteen-month community-engaged design initiative is underwritten by the William Penn Foundation.
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