Nearly a decade of phased restoration work brought this Philadelphia University landmark back to full use, which now serves as the Arlen Specter Center for Public Service.
A long history of prominent tenants and renovations since the house’s erection in 1802 distressed the integrity of the building. By 1998, when the University purchased the property, the Federal-style home had fallen into severe disrepair partially due to moisture infiltration.
Keast & Hood was engaged to provide a structural evaluation of the historic house in 2006 which resulted in urgent stabilization. Thermal analysis enabled the non-destructive testing of the building envelope. Later phases furthered preservation efforts and renovations, followed by the adaptive reuse of the historic house into a library. Structural scope consisted of the removal of rear additions, reconstruction of the original rear porch, and construction of a new elevator tower with a cantilevered steel wrap-around egress stair. Additional work included careful repairs to timber framing and masonry foundations without damaging the existing historic fabric. Meticulous team coordination allowed seamless integration of structural components with the historic aesthetic of the building.
The project was honored with a 2015 Grand Jury Award by the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia.
Nearly a decade of phased restoration work brought this Philadelphia University landmark back to full use, which now serves as the Arlen Specter Center for Public Service.
A long history of prominent tenants and renovations since the house’s erection in 1802 distressed the integrity of the building. By 1998, when the University purchased the property, the Federal-style home had fallen into severe disrepair partially due to moisture infiltration.
Keast & Hood was engaged to provide a structural evaluation of the historic house in 2006 which resulted in urgent stabilization. Thermal analysis enabled the non-destructive testing of the building envelope. Later phases furthered preservation efforts and renovations, followed by the adaptive reuse of the historic house into a library. Structural scope consisted of the removal of rear additions, reconstruction of the original rear porch, and construction of a new elevator tower with a cantilevered steel wrap-around egress stair. Additional work included careful repairs to timber framing and masonry foundations without damaging the existing historic fabric. Meticulous team coordination allowed seamless integration of structural components with the historic aesthetic of the building.
The project was honored with a 2015 Grand Jury Award by the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia.
CLIENT: Preservation Design Partnership, LLC
LOCATION: Philadelphia, PA
TYPE: Academic, Cultural, Historic, Library, SERVICES: Adaptive Reuse, Condition Assessment, Damage Assessment, Historic Preservation, Renovation, Restoration, MATERIALS: Concrete, Heavy Timber, Masonry, Steel, SUSTAINABILITY: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Completed project photography © Tom Crane
