Christ Church Neighborhood House

Renovation and addition of a new link building joins Neighborhood House and Washburn House and visually connects both houses with historic Christ Church.

Built in 1911 to serve the community via its soup kitchen, gym, theater, and meeting rooms, Neighborhood House also contains the parish and trust offices of historic Christ Church, founded in 1695. A renovation was undertaken to link Neighborhood House and adjacent Washburn House to better serve the needs of the community.

Keast & Hood provided structural engineering for the 24,000-sf project, including structural design of a link building between Neighborhood and Washburn Houses, insertion of a new elevator, and interior renovations within both buildings. Structural complexities included basement underpinning to accommodate the new elevator, extending an existing Neighborhood House stair to the basement level, and creating a gated exterior plaza spanning underground crypts. The revitalized Neighborhood House features a new multi-purpose room on the lower level and ADA accessibility. The new exterior space visually and physically connects both houses with Christ Church.

Christ Church Neighborhood House was honored with a 2011 Grand Jury Award from the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia.

Renovation and addition of a new link building joins Neighborhood House and Washburn House and visually connects both houses with historic Christ Church.

Built in 1911 to serve the community via its soup kitchen, gym, theater, and meeting rooms, Neighborhood House also contains the parish and trust offices of historic Christ Church, founded in 1695. A renovation was undertaken to link Neighborhood House and adjacent Washburn House to better serve the needs of the community.

Keast & Hood provided structural engineering for the 24,000-sf project, including structural design of a link building between Neighborhood and Washburn Houses, insertion of a new elevator, and interior renovations within both buildings. Structural complexities included basement underpinning to accommodate the new elevator, extending an existing Neighborhood House stair to the basement level, and creating a gated exterior plaza spanning underground crypts. The revitalized Neighborhood House features a new multi-purpose room on the lower level and ADA accessibility. The new exterior space visually and physically connects both houses with Christ Church.

Christ Church Neighborhood House was honored with a 2011 Grand Jury Award from the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia.

CLIENT: Voith & Mactavish Architects, LLP
LOCATION: Philadelphia, PA

TYPE: Cultural, Historic, Religious, SERVICES: Addition, Renovation, MATERIALS: Concrete, Masonry, Steel, SUSTAINABILITY: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Completed project photography © Jeffrey Totaro

read more +