A major adaptive reuse of the deteriorated 1891 Baptist Temple created a modern, 1,200-seat performing arts venue for Temple University.
Designed by architect Thomas Lonsdale and built in 1891, the Baptist Temple was the largest Protestant church in the U.S. and the site where Temple University was founded.
Keast & Hood provided a structural condition assessment to determine the impact of the new architectural program on the existing structure. The objective was to repair and reinforce the existing structure where possible, while preserving the historic fabric of the structure. The Baptist Temple’s original structure was comprised of stone masonry bearing walls with a mix of heavy timber and wrought iron floor and roof framing. Mainly visual and nondestructive methods, such as resistance drilling, were used to determine the condition of the wood and iron members. Coupon samples were taken from the 75-foot iron trusses to determine the strength of the wrought iron.
Keast & Hood then provided structural design for adaptive reuse conversion of the decaying church into the Temple Performing Arts Center. Existing structure was repaired and reinforced for added loads, new mechanical systems, and acoustic reflectors. The process was made challenging by the need to thread new steel through historic building fabric without disrupting original framing or compromising sight lines within the performance space. The structural project included extensive attic reinforcements, balcony reframing, floor reconstruction for a new seating layout, and foundation underpinning.
The project earned a 2011 Grand Jury Award from the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia and a 2011 Outstanding Project Award from the Delaware Valley Association of Structural Engineers.
A major adaptive reuse of the deteriorated 1891 Baptist Temple created a modern, 1,200-seat performing arts venue for Temple University.
Designed by architect Thomas Lonsdale and built in 1891, the Baptist Temple was the largest Protestant church in the U.S. and the site where Temple University was founded.
Keast & Hood provided a structural condition assessment to determine the impact of the new architectural program on the existing structure. The objective was to repair and reinforce the existing structure where possible, while preserving the historic fabric of the structure. The Baptist Temple’s original structure was comprised of stone masonry bearing walls with a mix of heavy timber and wrought iron floor and roof framing. Mainly visual and nondestructive methods, such as resistance drilling, were used to determine the condition of the wood and iron members. Coupon samples were taken from the 75-foot iron trusses to determine the strength of the wrought iron.
Keast & Hood then provided structural design for adaptive reuse conversion of the decaying church into the Temple Performing Arts Center. Existing structure was repaired and reinforced for added loads, new mechanical systems, and acoustic reflectors. The process was made challenging by the need to thread new steel through historic building fabric without disrupting original framing or compromising sight lines within the performance space. The structural project included extensive attic reinforcements, balcony reframing, floor reconstruction for a new seating layout, and foundation underpinning.
The project earned a 2011 Grand Jury Award from the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia and a 2011 Outstanding Project Award from the Delaware Valley Association of Structural Engineers.
CLIENT: RMJM
LOCATION: Philadelphia, PA
TYPE: Academic, Cultural, Historic, SERVICES: Adaptive Reuse, Condition Assessment, Renovation, Restoration, Structural Intervention, MATERIALS: Heavy Timber, Masonry, Steel, Wrought Iron, SUSTAINABILITY: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Construction and completed project photography © Jeffrey Totaro
