The internationally recognized project included new construction of a steel “ghost structure” outlining the location of Benjamin Franklin’s Philadelphia residence and reconstruction of a series of historic buildings.

The reconstructed buildings along Market Street house a working reproduction of Franklin’s grandson’s 18th century printing office and an operating post office. In a secluded urban courtyard behind the buildings, an abstract sculpture represents the house where Franklin lived while serving in the Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention. It connects to an underground museum about Franklin’s life with a contiguous auditorium, hands-on interactive exhibits, and archaeological displays.

The project’s architectural development was based upon an extensive archeological program conducted by the National Park Service. The structural systems include all-welded tube-steel frames representing the house and print shop “ghost” structures and a cast-in-place concrete structure for the underground museum. To reconstruct the buildings along Market street, contemporary steel structures were inserted within the original historic brick walls. The complex was awarded a presidential citation in 1984.

The internationally recognized project included new construction of a steel “ghost structure” outlining the location of Benjamin Franklin’s Philadelphia residence and reconstruction of a series of historic buildings.

The reconstructed buildings along Market Street house a working reproduction of Franklin’s grandson’s 18th century printing office and an operating post office. In a secluded urban courtyard behind the buildings, an abstract sculpture represents the house where Franklin lived while serving in the Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention. It connects to an underground museum about Franklin’s life with a contiguous auditorium, hands-on interactive exhibits, and archaeological displays.

The project’s architectural development was based upon an extensive archeological program conducted by the National Park Service. The structural systems include all-welded tube-steel frames representing the house and print shop “ghost” structures and a cast-in-place concrete structure for the underground museum. To reconstruct the buildings along Market street, contemporary steel structures were inserted within the original historic brick walls. The complex was awarded a presidential citation in 1984.

CLIENT: Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates, Inc. (now VSBA, LLC)
LOCATION: Philadelphia, PA

TYPE: Cultural, Historic, Special, SERVICES: Historic Preservation, New Construction, Restoration, MATERIALS: Steel, SUSTAINABILITY: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .