A 6,300-sf renovation of the university’s student theatrical club - compromised by an attic fire during construction - preserved the historic architecture and interior detail.
The Mask and Wig Club was founded in 1889 as student theatrical club. The club acquired its present building in 1894. Built as a church in 1834, the building was later converted into a stable. Architect Wilson Eyre and decorator Maxfield Parrish transformed the building into a clubhouse and performance space. Eyre later designed a 1903 balcony addition. The National Register-listed clubhouse remained largely unaltered but actively used for musical comedy performances for the next century.
Keast & Hood provided structural engineering for the renovation. Constructed of timber framing with brick masonry exterior, the building structure experienced decay due to age and insect infestation. Structural work involved replacing first floor framing while holding the historic Parrish wall in place, underpinning foundation walls to support historic interior walls, modifications associated with new HVAC installation, and supports for a new theatrical lighting ceiling grid.
Three weeks before completion, an attic fire fortunately was spotted by a neighbor and contained. Keast & Hood assessed the structural damage to the roof framing and designed temporary shoring and the permanent repairs.
The Mask and Wig Club Renovation was completed in 2009 and earned three honors in 2010: a Grand Jury Preservation Achievement Award from the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia, an Architectural Excellence Citation of Merit from the PA Society of the American Institute of Architects, and a Rehabilitation Construction Project Award from Preservation PA.
A 6,300-sf renovation of the university’s student theatrical club - compromised by an attic fire during construction - preserved the historic architecture and interior detail.
The Mask and Wig Club was founded in 1889 as student theatrical club. The club acquired its present building in 1894. Built as a church in 1834, the building was later converted into a stable. Architect Wilson Eyre and decorator Maxfield Parrish transformed the building into a clubhouse and performance space. Eyre later designed a 1903 balcony addition. The National Register-listed clubhouse remained largely unaltered but actively used for musical comedy performances for the next century.
Keast & Hood provided structural engineering for the renovation. Constructed of timber framing with brick masonry exterior, the building structure experienced decay due to age and insect infestation. Structural work involved replacing first floor framing while holding the historic Parrish wall in place, underpinning foundation walls to support historic interior walls, modifications associated with new HVAC installation, and supports for a new theatrical lighting ceiling grid.
Three weeks before completion, an attic fire fortunately was spotted by a neighbor and contained. Keast & Hood assessed the structural damage to the roof framing and designed temporary shoring and the permanent repairs.
The Mask and Wig Club Renovation was completed in 2009 and earned three honors in 2010: a Grand Jury Preservation Achievement Award from the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia, an Architectural Excellence Citation of Merit from the PA Society of the American Institute of Architects, and a Rehabilitation Construction Project Award from Preservation PA.
CLIENT: Matthew Millan Architects, Inc.
LOCATION: Philadelphia, PA
TYPE: Academic, Cultural, Historic, SERVICES: Damage Assessment, Emergency Stabilization, Historic Preservation, Renovation, Restoration, MATERIALS: Masonry, Wood, SUSTAINABILITY: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Completed project photography © Tom Crane
