Keast & Hood provided structural engineering for the Margaret Esherick House, one of only nine of Louis Kahn's residential designs that were constructed...

Keast & Hood provided structural engineering for the Margaret Esherick House, one of only nine of Louis Kahn's residential designs that were constructed.

Built in 1961 and noted by architectural historians for its pure form and materials, the Esherick House was built for the niece of sculptor Wharton Esherick and includes one of the remaining intact wood kitchens of his design.

The house is constructed of concrete with Apitong wood. The architecture displays some of Kahn’s hallmark design elements - the separation of servant and served spaces, T-shaped fenestration patterns, and an innovative ventilation system comprised of operable wood shutters.

Keast & Hood provided structural engineering for the original design project from 1959-1961. The firm was re-engaged by the current owners as consultants for a sensitive renovation project in 2015.

The Margaret Esherick House was named an AIA Philadelphia Landmark Building in 1992 and was added to the Pennsylvania Register of Historic Places in 2009 and the Chestnut Hill Architectural Hall of Fame in 2015.

CLIENT: Louis I. Kahn
LOCATION: Philadelphia, PA

TYPE: Residential, SERVICES: New Construction, MATERIALS: Concrete, SUSTAINABILITY: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .