The Academy of Music Philadelphia exterior restoration is a high-profile project on a national historic landmark building. The project was featured in the Philadelphia inquirer and is the result of the continued high level of stewardship the building receives from the Kimmel Cultural Campus. Our team took on the challenge of restoring and replicating the ornate details of a historic building with high standards, while utilizing an innovative application of glass fiber reinforced concrete and architectural precast concrete. This required a full restoration and rehabilitation of the original balcony including a new cast stone balustrade, supporting brackets below, and a waterproof membrane coating. The details were hidden under layers of paint and repairs that were just waiting to be discovered.

Special features of the concrete included the combination of both architectural precast concrete and glass fiber reinforced concrete on the project, used individually, as well as together. Anchoring, moldings, and mix design were all developed specifically for this job; there were no off the shelf items. Our team worked extensively with a conservator and architect to match the original historic brownstone through mix design analysis and color matching. GFRC was used for the new, replacement brackets highly ornate scroll designs and the nosing for the slab. Our team utilized precast concrete to match the existing balustrades and building quoins.

Project challenges included coordination, schedule constraints, and the need to find a GFRC contractor. Engineering design details were updated to utilize the new GFRC. Problem-solving was a key aspect of this project, as the engineers had to figure out how to get the two materials to work together and integrate while being weather-tight. We also had to develop brand new installation procedures for anchoring the GFRC back to the brownstone anchors.

By combining old and new techniques the balcony was able to be brought back to life featuring it’s original design.

The Academy of Music Philadelphia exterior restoration is a high-profile project on a national historic landmark building. The project was featured in the Philadelphia inquirer and is the result of the continued high level of stewardship the building receives from the Kimmel Cultural Campus. Our team took on the challenge of restoring and replicating the ornate details of a historic building with high standards, while utilizing an innovative application of glass fiber reinforced concrete and architectural precast concrete. This required a full restoration and rehabilitation of the original balcony including a new cast stone balustrade, supporting brackets below, and a waterproof membrane coating. The details were hidden under layers of paint and repairs that were just waiting to be discovered.

Special features of the concrete included the combination of both architectural precast concrete and glass fiber reinforced concrete on the project, used individually, as well as together. Anchoring, moldings, and mix design were all developed specifically for this job; there were no off the shelf items. Our team worked extensively with a conservator and architect to match the original historic brownstone through mix design analysis and color matching. GFRC was used for the new, replacement brackets highly ornate scroll designs and the nosing for the slab. Our team utilized precast concrete to match the existing balustrades and building quoins.

Project challenges included coordination, schedule constraints, and the need to find a GFRC contractor. Engineering design details were updated to utilize the new GFRC. Problem-solving was a key aspect of this project, as the engineers had to figure out how to get the two materials to work together and integrate while being weather-tight. We also had to develop brand new installation procedures for anchoring the GFRC back to the brownstone anchors.

By combining old and new techniques the balcony was able to be brought back to life featuring it’s original design.

CLIENT: Atkin Olshin Schade Architects
LOCATION: Philadelphia, PA

TYPE: Historic, SERVICES: Historic Preservation, Restoration, MATERIALS: SUSTAINABILITY: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Completed project photography © Keast & Hood