VIRTUAL London Heritages Conference

Abstract

Cultural institutions, frequently with historic buildings, need an ongoing source of funds to support the ongoing mission of the institution while maintaining and respecting historic facilities. The one asset these institutions frequently have is land in an advantageous location for commercial development. The goal of the resultant development must be to generate the necessary funds with new buildings that respect and reinforce the historic context. I will present case studies of three built projects I have designed that address these issues each in a unique way: 1. Symphony House. A vacant brownfield site near the center of Philadelphia was developed to extend and strengthen the city’s historic performing arts district. The project included a 32 story residential condominium, parking, and a new theater. The design is historicist in nature. 2. 3737 Chestnut. The Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral embarked on a program to ensure the long term well being of its mission and historic facilities. The project included a 25 story apartment tower with parking, offices for the bishop, and new rectory and assembly spaces for the Cathedral. The design is unapologetically modern while weaving its disparate parts together on a complicated site. 3. One Theater Square. The New Jersey Performing Arts Center controlled land to be used in support of its mission in the historic center of Newark, New Jersey. The design included a 22-story apartment tower with adjacent parking garage for both the apartments and the arts center. The design strikes a middle ground between the historic context and a forward expression.