ARCH Building | University of Pennsylvania

Arts Research and Culture House (ARCH) underwent extensive renovations. A comprehensive BIM model was used to coordinate the efforts of many disciplines within the complex building structure.

The late Gothic Revival ARCH building, constructed in 1928, contains cultural centers, administrative offices, classrooms, performance areas, and meeting spaces. The design team assessed the feasibility of restoring both the interior and exterior of the building to meet spatial and programmatic needs.

Keast & Hood provided structural engineering for renovations including a façade restoration, a new stair tower, a service addition, a new second floor auditorium stage with movable seating, roof reinforcements for a new air handling unit, a bridge to connect corridors for emergency egress, interior mechanical upgrades with a catwalk for accessibility, foundation underpinning for a new elevator, and a new entryway involving complex excavation and wall support.

Arts Research and Culture House (ARCH) underwent extensive renovations. A comprehensive BIM model was used to coordinate the efforts of many disciplines within the complex building structure.

The late Gothic Revival ARCH building, constructed in 1928, contains cultural centers, administrative offices, classrooms, performance areas, and meeting spaces. The design team assessed the feasibility of restoring both the interior and exterior of the building to meet spatial and programmatic needs.

Keast & Hood provided structural engineering for renovations including a façade restoration, a new stair tower, a service addition, a new second floor auditorium stage with movable seating, roof reinforcements for a new air handling unit, a bridge to connect corridors for emergency egress, interior mechanical upgrades with a catwalk for accessibility, foundation underpinning for a new elevator, and a new entryway involving complex excavation and wall support.

CLIENT: SaylorGregg Architects
LOCATION: Philadelphia, PA

TYPE: Academic, Historic, SERVICES: Addition, BIM, Feasibility Study, Renovation, Restoration, Structural Intervention, MATERIALS: Concrete, Masonry, Steel, SUSTAINABILITY: LEED, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Exterior photograph © Tom Crane; completed interior photography at top © Tom Crane and Jeffrey Totaro; historic photograph c.1928 courtesy Christian Association; all other completed photography © Keast & Hood Co.

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