THE STUDENT ISSUE
SPRING 2019
DESIGNER
AIAS
PHILADELPHIA EMERGING ARCHITECTS
STUDIO FUTURE ARCHITECT PLANNING ARE EXAM NETWORKING
FINDING THE RIGHT JOB
FIRM VISITS
ACE MENTORING PHILANOMA INTERNSHIP BUILT ENVIRONMENT
DESIGN TECH
DIVERSITY
CULTURE
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
VISUALIZATION
FABRICATION
DESIGNPHILADELPHIA
Spring 2019 – IN THIS ISSUE We explore the diversity of educational and career opportunities in architecture, and seek to inspire the next generation of professionals.
FEATURES 10 Practice Profiles by Fauzia Sadiq Garcia
14 Pathways to the Profession by Rachel S. Schade, AIA
DEPARTMENTS 5 EDITOR’S LETTER 6 COMMUNITY
10 UP CLOSE
18 The Life of an Architecture Student by Kyle Taveira and Amanda Cohen
26 BOOK REVIEW 28 DESIGN PROFILES
ON THE COVER Process of a Future Architect. Photo Credit: Rashida Ng, RA
CONTEXT is published by
AIA Philadelphia A Chapter of the American Institute of Architects 1218 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 215-569-3186, www.aiaphiladelphia.com. The opinions expressed in this – or the representations made by advertisers, including copyrights and warranties, are not those of the editorial staff, publisher, AIA Philadelphia, or
CORRECTION The Winter 2019 issue of CONTEXT failed to credit architect James Bradberry Architects in a joint venture with Porphyrios Architects for project work on The Ivy Club at Princeton University (pg 11).
AIA Philadelphia’s Board of Directors. All rights reserved. Reproduction in part or whole without written permission is strictly prohibited. Postmaster: send change of address to AIA Philadelphia, 1218 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 Published MARCH 2019
Suggestions? Comments? Questions? Tell us what you think about the latest issue of CONTEXT magazine by emailing context@aiaphila.org. A member of the CONTEXT editorial committee will be sure to get back to you. AIA Philadelphia | context | SPRING 2019 3
2019 BOARD OF DIRECTORS John B. Campbell, AIA, ARIAS, RIBA, LEED AP, President Concept Development Design Assistance Peer Review Construction Administration Envelope Commissioning Performance Investigation
Paul Avazier, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, NCARB, President-Elect Robert Shuman, AIA, LEED AP, Treasurer Karen Blanchard, AIA, Past President Soha St. Juste, AIA, Secretary Chris Blakelock, AIA, Director of Advocacy Catherine (Katie) Broh, AIA, LEED AP, Director of Diversity, Prosperity, and Firm Culture Danielle DiLeo Kim, AIA, Director of Strategic Engagement Rob Fleming, AIA, Director of Education Jeff Goldstein, AIA, Director of Design Clarissa Kelsey, Assoc. AIA, Associate Director of PEA Timoth A. Kerner, AIA, Director of Professional Development
Edwards & Company Building Envelope Consultants
Stephen Kuttner Potts, AIA, Director of Technology + Innovation Erin Roark, AIA, Director of Diversity, Prosperity, and Firm Culture Alesa Rubendall, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, PA Director Rich Vilabrera, Jr., Assoc. AIA, Associate Director of PEA Kelly Vresilovic, AIA, LEED AP, Director of Sustainability Tya Winn, Public Member Rebecca Johnson, Executive Director
215-703-0628 | www.edwardsbec.com | info@edwardsbec.com
CONTEXT EDITORIAL BOARD CO-CHAIRS Harris M. Steinberg, FAIA, Drexel University Todd Woodward, AIA, SMP Architects
Mixed Metals by ISA, Sam Oberter Photography
BOARD MEMBERS Wolfram Arendt, AIA, LAYER Architecture William W. Braham, Ph.D., FAIA, University of Pennsylvania David Brownlee, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania Jon Coddington, AIA, Drexel University Susan Miller Davis, AIA Daryn Edwards, AIA, CICADA Architecture Planning Sally Harrison, AIA, Temple University Timothy Kerner, AIA, Terra Studio Elizabeth Miller, Community Design Collaborative Stephen P. Mullin, Econsult Solutions, Inc. Rashida Ng, RA, Temple University Jeff Pastva, AIA, Bright Common Richard Roark, ASLA, Olin
Structural Engineering and Design Evaluation of Existing Structures Construction Support Services Historic Preservation Facade Reviews 11 W. THOMPSON STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19125 215.232.7207 | LARSENLANDIS.COM
Rachel Simmons Schade, AIA, Drexel University David Zaiser, AIA, Whitman Requardt and Associates LLP
STAFF Rebecca Johnson, AIA Philadelphia Executive Director Elizabeth Paul, Managing Editor Tiffany Mercer-Robbins, Layout Designer Laurie Churchman, Designlore, Art Director
4 SPRING 2019 | context | AIA Philadelphia
EDITOR’S LETTER
INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ARCHITECTS RACHEL SIMMONS SCHADE, AIA Associate Teaching Professor, Drexel University and CONTEXT Editor RASHIDA NG, RA Chair and Associate Professor, Temple University, Architecture Department and CONTEXT Editor
Perhaps it is overwhelmingly obvious that the future of the
In addition, be sure to read Stephanie Aranda’s review of The
discipline of architecture lies in the hands of our students.
Women of Steel and Stone for a preview of this volume that profiles 22
But, consider this. Today’s architecture students will improve the quality
inspirational female architects, engineers, and landscape architects. You
of tomorrow’s neighborhoods, housing, and school buildings. Today’s
might consider purchasing this book for a student who is planning to study
students will lead tomorrow’s design firms. They will construct more
in one of these fields. Intended for the young adult audience, the book
efficient, resilient, and healthy buildings within our future cities. They will
profiles Marion Mahony Griffin, a contemporary of Frank Lloyd Wright,
become our civic leaders, design directors, and community advocates.
Beverly L. Greene, the first African American woman in the country to
One day in the not too distant future, today’s architecture students will
get her architecture license, and Zaha Hadid, the first woman to receive
inspire and educate the next generation of leaders that will carry these
the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize.
efforts through the 21st century and beyond. In recognition of the
If you received this issue of Context directly in your mailbox, you
importance of the architecture student, we have dedicated this issue of
likely have some familiarity with the educational path of an architect,
Context to the current and prospective learners in the field.
either through your own experience or through the tales shared by your
The features in this issue seek to demystify the field of architecture,
colleagues and friends. This issue of Context is not really for you…. Let us
revealing the joys, challenges, and opportunities that await those
explain, we do hope that you read the issue, and learn from it’s content,
who enter it. Kyle Taveira and Amanda Cohen’s article, "The Life of
but we also have other aspirations. After you read it, we hope that you
an Architecture Student," provides an illustrated diary of some of the
would also pass it on. Share it with your neighbor whose daughter builds
common experiences that characterize the academic experience in
the most impressive houses in the video game Minecraft that you’ve ever
architecture school. Fauzia Sadiq Garcia’s contribution, "Practice Profiles,
seen. Give it to college counselors, neighbors, and friends with school age
"depicts the range of career options that lie ahead for students after
children with creative minds and an aptitude for making. Alternatively,
graduation by describing the paths of several successful graduates from
simply keep this on hand as a mentoring resource to reference down the
Philadelphia’s architecture programs. Rachel Schade’s article, "Pathways
road. Whatever you decide to do, we invite you to join us in recruiting
to the Profession," presents three Philadelphia based programs that
the most passionate, diverse, and committed generation of professionals
introduce young people to the discipline of architecture at an early age;
that have ever graduated from architecture school. Remember, our
while, Christian Jordan’s profile provides an inspirational model of the
future depends on it. n
potential impact that one might have post architecture school. AIA Philadelphia | context | SPRING 2019 5
COMMUNITY PHOTO: GEORDIE WOOD
Hello Friends and Colleagues: Hope you are enjoying your 2019 thus far. Our first quarter of the year has been an exciting and optimistic one. Every January, it’s great to bring new people and perspectives to the Board of Directors as we continue to implement our strategic plan and make our chapter stronger, more effective, and agile. But this year it has felt a bit more special, because we are celebrating our 150th Anniversary of the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Throughout the year, you will see our commemorative 150th Anniversary logo and a few special surprises. I hope you will take the opportunity to join AIA Philadelphia throughout 2019 as we celebrate our 150th Anniversary. This statement reflects the intention and summary of the theme that will run through our programming this year: As one of the oldest chapters in nation, we are equally proud of our members’ exceptional design found around the world, as well as the lasting community impact on the greater Philadelphia region. In addition to celebrating our accomplishments, we will humbly reflect on what we, as a profession, have yet to accomplish. Moving into the future, we commit to pushing forward together to make our world more equitable and sustainable and our profession more inclusive and robust. As the UN Climate Change report recently stated, we have 12 years to limit the catastrophic effects of climate change. As we celebrate our milestone anniversary, let’s find ways to live up to the 2030 Commitment and advocate for sustainable design and construction. Let’s also find ways to solve a global and local affordable housing crisis. And finally, let’s move forward in ways that attract and retain diverse talent, so as a profession, we are thriving and more adept to face the challenges of the future. Sincerely,
Rebecca Johnson Executive Director AIA Philadelphia Center / Architecture + Design
6 SPRING 2019 | context | AIA Philadelphia
Join the Center for Architecture and Design on June 25th, 2019, for their 34th Louis I. Kahn Award. The 2019 award honors Diller Scofidio + Renfro, an interdisciplinary design studio based in New York City that integrates architecture, the visual arts, and performing arts. Tickets are available online at PhiladelphiaCFA. org. With the purchase of a VIP ticket, you can join the winners and program sponsors at a VIP reception preceding the award presentation. The VIP reception includes an open bar and heavy hors d’oeuvres. Early bird tickets to the ceremony alone are available at a discounted price until Sunday, May 5th. This annual event raises funds to provide design education to K-12 students. The beneficiaries include: • The Charter High School for Architecture + Design, the first school of its kind in the nation founded in 1999 as a legacy project of the Philadelphia chapter of the American Institute of Architects. • The Architecture in Education (AIE) program of the Center for Architecture and Design. AIE, founded in 1982 and relaunched in 2018, brings practicing architects into K-12 classrooms to teach children about the design process through hands-on workshops and lessons.
COMMUNITY
PHOTO: MATT STANLEY
PHOTO: JOE KACZMAREK
AIA Philadelphia The 2019 Forum on Architecture and Design October 2-4: This year’s conference will take place at Convene CityView, which is conveniently located in Center City Philadelphia in the Duane Morris Building, 30 S. 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.Convene is a state-of-the-art meeting venue with tremendous views of Center City Philadelphia in every room. The Forum will offer over 30 programs, keynotes featuring recognized industry leaders, nano learning sessions with exhibitors of building materials and technology companies, tours of recently completed or currently under construction projects in Philadelphia and multiple opportunities to network and socialize with professionals in the building, design and construction industry. Interested in collaborating and submitting tour and seminar ideas? The conference schedule allows for seminars of 60 or 90 minutes in length. Submit your proposal online by Friday, May 3 at 5 PM, by visiting https://www.forum-arch-design.org/
Mark your calendar for the 2019 Annual Meeting and Committee Open House on April 25 at 4:30 PM. AIA Philadelphia members are invited to attend the Annual Meeting to recognize our volunteers and hear about the current state of the Chapter as well as highlights from our partner organizations the Philadelphia Center for Architecture and Design, Community Design Collaborative, and Charter High School for Architecture and Design. In addition, AIA Philadelphia committee leaders will be on hand to tell you what they are planning for the rest of 2019 and beyond. Stop by their tables to find out how you can get involved.
As of January, DAG is a member organization of the Central Delaware Advocacy Group (CDAG). Appropriate waterfront (Delaware and Schuylkill) development is an advocacy priority for DAG. CDAG’s mission is to advance implementation of the Civic Vision and Master Plan for the Central Delaware River, so there is an alignment between the two organizations’ advocacy missions. Nando Micale, a DAG steering committee member and co-chair of DAG’s Waterfronts
Task Force, represents DAG on the CDAG board. "Joining CDAG is mutually beneficial for both groups’ advocacy missions, and allows DAG to bring its membership's professional expertise to CDAG," says Nando. Nando is well acquainted with the Delaware waterfront, having served as a key consultant to the planning and creation of the Civic Vision for the Delaware River from 2007-2009, which included the Action Plan leading to the development and adoption of the Master Plan for the Central Delaware Waterfront in 2012.
AIA Philadelphia | context | SPRING 2019 7
COMMUNITY
8 SPRING 2019 | context | AIA Philadelphia
also participated in the project. “I’d been an in-class instructor in the past. But I needed to experience a contemporary classroom. I taught at Adair Elementary School last spring. Then I volunteered on the Allegheny West project to see how the new AIE model could be used in partnership with the Collaborative.” During the summer, high school students from Allegheny West Foundation’s (AWF) summer program met weekly with Collaborative volunteers from KieranTimberlake to re-envision the Peirce Elementary schoolyard. The volunteers took their cue from the AIE curriculum, using experiential learning to take them through the design process. “Design education can have a big impact on students,” says Spain. “Students really see how the process of design can help
them solve a problem. For me, the best thing is seeing those moments when they are fully engaged when they haven’t been before.” In the fall, middle and high school students from AWF’s after school program built upon the work done in the summer and collaborated on a design/build project for the Allegheny West community. Jeffrey Brummer, who led this project for the Collaborative, says, “We started with a vision exercise to get the students thinking about spaces where they felt safe and joyful. From there, they divided into small groups to develop spaces based on their responses. The students presented the concepts and we discussed how the designs fit with their initial visions. We worked together to find common themes and that became the basis for the Lounge Pod design.” The Pod breaks down into two pieces for easy relocation. It has a drop-down work table and booth-style seating. The students assembled the prefabricated pieces on-site and finished the structure with a fabric canopy, paint, LED lights, hanging plant pots, and chalkboard paint for games and messages. “The Lounge Pod allowed the students to design and build a product that will benefit other kids,” says Brummer. “It gave them an awareness of how they can impact their community with their creation. “The Collaborative has incorporated the AIE program into its projects before,” says Segall Levy. “We’ve had students contribute their ideas to conceptual designs for the former Leidy Elementary School, Starfinder Foundation, AMY Northwest Middle School, and in a previous project with the Allegheny West Foundation.” She adds, “Allegheny West’s “Playing for the Future” project broke new ground. This is the first time we introduced a design/build project into our work with students.”
PHOTOS: COMMUNITY DESIGN COLLABORATIVE
Making a project model from bottles, a Styrofoam cup, and a ballet shoe. Drawing a vision and spending the following week “getting real.” Designing and building a mobile mini-lounge. These are just some of the things that students in Allegheny West got to do through “Playing for the Future,” a youth design education and design/build project led by the Community Design Collaborative. Design as part of its Design Grant program. This program provides pro bono preliminary design services to nonprofit organizations throughout greater Philadelphia. It expands access to design, engages communities directly in the design process, and equips nonprofits with critical knowledge and plans to lead community development. The Allegheny West project contributed to the recent reboot of the Architecture in Education (AIE) Program by AIA Philadelphia. Heidi Segall Levy, AIA, director of design services for the Community Design Collaborative, says, “Our volunteers had the opportunity to test the updated version of the AIE curriculum as they created their lesson plans.” Michael Spain, Assoc. AIA, is co-chair of the Architecture in Education Committee along with Elizabeth Class-Maldonado. He
EDGES MELT (CONTINUING OUR TRAVEL SERIES...)
PHOTO: CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL FOR ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN
1 BUS, 2 ADULTS, 3 DAYS, 5 HIGH SCHOOLS, 25 STUDENTS, INFINITE FUTURES...OPENED. It’s an early Wednesday morning in February. Six CHAD seniors board a charter bus and settle in for the long ride. Eight-hour drives bracket a two-night stay in Burlington, Vermont. It will be cold. Sleet and freezing rain are predicted. Champlain College has offered admission to these students. They are visiting to participate in its Pathways program. A diversity effort, the program – even the charter bus – is entirely funded by Champlain. This is an admirable commitment. CHAD’s seniors join 19 students from four other high schools (Atlanta, Boston, and two from New York). Friday morning, each will interview for significant scholarships. Ten to fifteen will be awarded and become CARE Scholars (Champlain's Achievement Retention Excellence program). It is a life-changing opportunity. Champlain is known for animation, business, communications, digital media, game design, graphic design, and teacher education. CHAD students have been participating in the Pathways program for over 10 years. Four years ago Champlain overhauled the format from individual school visits to a single threeday event. (It was a happy accident: a series of blizzards compressed all of the visits into one weekend.) We arrive, unload luggage. Icy rain is coating the ground. No one has sure footing. We filter into the admissions center. Each group stays near to what they know: each other. There is no interaction between schools. Sideways glances are cast toward those from distant cities. The program begins: dinner, introductory comments, an activity. Students then awkwardly pair off with their Overnight Ambassador for a taste of college dorm life. (They all report back having a lot of fun, but wouldn't say more.) The next day is packed: programs, tours, meals, current students, administrators and faculty, a mock class with a Champlain professor. They meet alumni Elnora Koontz '16. Two other alumni currently attend Champlain. Brittany Guilford '17 is in class. Roger Castillo ‘16, is in Ireland, studying abroad. (Wait…what?). It is a flood of possibilities.
There are two thoughtful forums with current Champlain students. They specifically and frankly discuss what it is like to be a person of color at a PWI (Predominantly White Institution). The mock class includes an exercise about points of view. Students roam the room and work together to solve a puzzle. They bond. Twenty-four hours pass and 25 teenage strangers are a mobile mosh pit parading down Church Street, arm and arm, a belly full of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream. Everyone has shared phone numbers. Group chats spring up. They are woven together, talking, laughing, texting, taking selfies, comparing notes on home city slang, other schools on the college radar. The next morning: blue skies. The program has unfolded beautifully. Twenty-five threads are knit into a new fabric. Champlain College offered a graceful, transparent, encouraging, and nurturing welcome. It rubs off on the students. Friday morning, students are dressed and nervous for the interviews. They wish one
COMMUNITY
another luck as their name is called. Closing remarks, we prepare for departure and the long bus ride home. CHAD is first out. An announcement: Ok, CHAD, your bus has arrived and your lunch is ready, you’re good to go. New Yorkers, Bostonians, Atlantians cry out….awwww, byeeee CHAD, they swarm our six. It’s a group hug. They arrived timid, maybe terrified. They depart triumphant and joyful. In three days: profound impact. The lesson: You haven't yet met your best life long friend(s). You will, in college. So go. This is the work we do, one day, one mile, one student at a time. CHAD engages and educates Philadelphia students through the power of design thinking and introducing them to creative career opportunities. As CHAD approaches its 20th anniversary in 2019, please support our work as the flagship of K-12 design education.
AIA Philadelphia | context | SPRING 2019 9
CHRISTIAN JORDAN
THE MOVER AND SHAKER BY JOANN GRECO
PHOTO COURTSEY OF CHRISTIAN JORDAN
10 SPRING 2019 | context | AIA Philadelphia
UP CLOSE
WE SHOULD HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT WE HAVE THE TOOLS TO ADDRESS WHATEVER OBSTACLES WE COME ACROSS. IT'S ALL ABOUT PUSHING YOURSELF BEYOND YOUR COMFORT LEVEL AND BEING ABLE TO FAIL.
“You’re not good enough to be a professional ballplayer,” the guidance counselor at Upper Darby High School remarked one day to Christian Jordan, not unkindly. “So … what are you going to do?” “Gee, I don’t know,” the 17-year-old replied in the manner of many a befuddled junior. “Let’s see, you’re good at math,” the counselor prompted. “And your dad is an architect. . . . .” For Jordan it was the first of several aha moments that would come courtesy of a supportive mentor. “I greatly appreciate the role that some key people have had in cultivating my career,” the 37-year-old architect says now. “I try to have that mindset too.” He’s played it forward again and again over the past decade; most recently by serving as the regional director for AIA’s Young Architect Forum and as the Architecture Group Mentoring contact for its Philadelphia chapter. In 2017, he was awarded AIA Pennsylvania’s Emerging Professional of the Year for his contributions to the field. Jordan may have needed a push to see what was right in front of him, but once he started on his path towards architecture, he kept moving. At the urging of his counselor, he sampled some drafting and CAD classes and enjoyed them enough to pursue a five-year BArch at College of Textiles and Science (later Philadelphia University, now Jefferson University). When a brief post-graduation stint at Francis Cauffman Architects left him feeling that the big firm experience wasn’t right for him, he found himself under the wing of another mentor at a smaller operation where he eventually rose to principal. That firm was owned by, wait for it, his father, Phil Jordan. And just as it took one caring guide to help Christian figure out that architecture was where he belonged, it took the patient tutelage of his dad to help him make strides in the field. Just as he’s understands firsthand the importance of such support, he’s a firm believer in the power of "learning to advocate for yourself,” he points out. “Designers are trained to be problem solvers,” he explains. “We should have confidence that we have the tools to address whatever obstacles we come across. It’s all about pushing yourself beyond your comfort level and not being able to fail.”
He credits such thinking to his encounter An Incomplete Manifesto for Growth by the designer Bruce Mau — 43 bullet points exalting disruption, failure, and experimentation — while at college. “It changed my life,” he says. Within a couple of days of reading it, he switched his thesis proposal from a planned study on democracy in architecture to a more forward-looking focus on the application of digital methods in the profession. The effort would lead to his first opportunity to work with emerging architects when a third mentor — his thesis advisor — suggested he teach a course based on his research. He proved a natural and has continued the relationship with Jefferson University. “My students teach me just as much as I do them,” he says. “I’m another participant in the class. I love listening to their ideas.” These days, Jordan instructs in practice management, culling from his own expertise in business development for PJA Architecture, the Drexel Hill-based firm that he and his dad run. The practice is tight-knit and multi-faceted, with four registered architects who design everything from car dealerships to private clubs. In a whimsical exercise posted on its web site, each of the firm’s architects is presented as a building, as selected by his or her peers. Jordan is anointed as Chicago’s Willis Tower, a “Mover/Shaker, always keeping us on the cutting edge.” Referring to Mau’s Manifesto, the assessment continues, “If it weren’t for him we’d be stuck in our comfort zones and making slower mistakes.” Jordan chuckles at the comparison, but when it comes to his own favorite buildings, he’s more modest. “I love Society Hill Towers,” he says. “I love the rhythms and how when you’re driving along I-95 you can see through the corner units. There’s a delight in architecture there that you don’t often see.” The site’s not far from where he and his wife live, dine out, and play. “We love all of the new public spaces on the waterfront,” he says, “and since we have a five-year-old son, we also spend a lot of time at Three Bears Park. It’s why we enjoy living in the city so much — those wonderful moments of interacting with your neighbors.” n JoAnn Greco is a freelance writer and frequent contributor for PlanPhilly, the Philadelpia Inquirer, and Philadelphia Daily News.
AIA Philadelphia | context | SPRING 2019 11
12 SPRING 2019 | context | AIA Philadelphia
PRACTICE PROFILES BY FAUZIA SADIQ GARCIA To understand the value of an architectural education, this article features alumni from numerous Philadelphia schools that were interviewed to trace their path through architecture school to discover what opportunities their education brought forth in their careers. The experiences provide an insight into how an architectural education is worthwhile—not only for becoming a licensed architect but also for opening doors into numerous related positions. The profiles feature a wide range of architects with diverse backgrounds and experiences. However, despite the differences in their educational paths and as they advanced in the discipline, they all are enjoying rewarding careers post graduation.
Emmanuel Gee is a Registered Architect, member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP), and a Certified Passive House Designer who has enjoyed great success in his career. With his grandfather as a mentor, Emmanuel discovered his love for creative pursuits and tinkering with things at an early age. However, the path that he took to achieve his current success in architecture may be surprising. After enduring a personal setback during his senior year in high school, Emmanuel needed to take a break from school and refocus. He still had aspirations to attend architecture school and after receiving his GED, he enrolled in the Associate in Arts program at the Community College of Philadelphia (CCP). There he was introduced to the foundational skills required to become an architect, including drawing and model making, digital software, and building system integration. Once Emmanuel completed his program at CCP, he transferred to Temple University to receive a Bachelor of Architecture professional degree. Most of his credits were transferred over to Temple University, which allowed him to focus more intently on the theoretical and artistic aspects of the design process. Emmanuel excelled in his studies and was awarded the thesis prize in his final semester.
ISAAC SOUTHARD
ISAAC SOUTHARD Isaac Southard is a Registered Architect and LEED AP with a natural artistic ability coupled with a high aptitude for complex designs. During high school, Isaac took fine arts classes and volunteered in construction work with various community organizations. These interests are what drew Isaac to attend Drexel University for a Bachelor of Architecture degree. In Drexel’s program, he could gain professional experience working full time while taking evening classes in school. The first two years for Issac were similar to full time students at other universities. In year three, he transitioned to evening classes for the remainder of the program. That transition forced Isaac to learn time management skills and to quickly prioritize his interests in this immersive experience. As an architectural intern and a student, Isaac had to be proactive to ensure he devoted the time he needed to produce high-quality school
PHOTOS COURTSEY OF EMMANUEL GEE
PHOTO COURTSEY OF ISAAC SOUTHARD
EMMANUEL GEE
After graduation, Emmanuel continued to hone his professional skills. Given his aptitude for making, one of his early positions was with a design / build firm. Later, while working at a larger firm, he developed an expertise in sustainability. When his family relocated to New York, he worked as a sustainability consultant for his former employer. This position provided a flexible schedule that was welcomed while his children were young. Currently, Emmanuel works at Ewing Cole as a Technical Project Architect, and he is part of a team developing workflows to perform early design analysis for thermal comfort and energy consumption. When asked what parting words of wisdom he’d like to share to students he unequivocally stated that you can be successful in life and do anything you put your mind to. Despite Emmanuel’s non-traditional path, today, he is a successful architect in New York.
AIA Philadelphia | context | SPRING 2019 13 EMMANUEL GEE
PHOTO COURTSEY OF ISAAC SOUTHARD
ISAAC SOUTHARD
work while also maintaining his responsibilities at his full time job. He adapted well, and won a design / build competition and also received the thesis prize. Although Isaac had a professional degree in architecture, he decided to continue his education to enhance his understanding of architectural theory and to explore his interest in fabrication. He attended Yale University where he was able to step away from practice and immerse himself completely in architecture. He took a furniture class to develop his fabrication skills and was selected to compete for the International Contemporary Furniture Fair Studio in New York City, a global competition for students in various fields. During his last year at Yale University, Isaac worked on a design competition for the internationally renowned firm Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects. Isaac had great respect for their work and was offered a position there when he graduated. He is currently still with the firm, working as a Project Architect for a high profile project in Chicago. His advice for students is to fully commit—whatever academic or professional choices you make, give it everything you have. Exemplified during his days in architecture school and now through his work with an internationally renowned firm in New York, Isaac’s commitment to the field is clearly serving him well.
14 SPRING 2019 | context | AIA Philadelphia
PHOTO COURTSEY OF TROY HANNIGAN
TROY HANNIGAN Troy Hannigan is an Associate AIA member who has served on the Board of Directors for AIA Philadelphia and the Center for Architecture and Design. His interest in architecture and construction began at a young age, watching his father repair homes. Architecture school opened his eyes to a much broader perspective and taught him the importance of the built environment within our daily lives. Troy is a real estate developer with a passion for community development that began with his outreach efforts in college. In pursuit of his Bachelor of Architecture degree at Philadelphia University (now Jefferson University), Troy became involved with the community services program and worked with Habitat for Humanity on various projects. He initiated a chapter of the American Institute of Architecture Students’ Freedom by Design program, an initiative that works with the community to provide modest design solutions to those in need. Freedom by Design exemplifies how architecture can directly impact the community and improve living conditions. Troy graduated during an economic recession in 2009, when
finding a job was not an easy task. Through the AmeriCorps program, he worked for Habitat for Humanity as a rehabilitation specialist for vacant housing and as a construction assistant. Given his passion for improving communities, he decided to attend graduate school at Eastern University for a Masters in Urban Studies with a community development concentration. This enabled him to understand how to work with diverse communities and to better serve them. Troy is currently Program Director at Community Ventures, a nonprofit real estate development company that partners with communities to increase the supply of affordable housing in Philadelphia. When asked if architecture school was beneficial for this career, Troy stated that architecture is a discipline that teaches you to critically think about problem solving. When Troy began his college education, he never would have imagined that he would become a real estate developer. Sometimes your path can be meandering, but architecture provides a solid educational foundation. Troy’s architectural education has allowed him to pursue a career improving Philadelphia’s neighborhoods.
TROY HANNIGAN
PHOTO COURTSEY OF MARGUERITE ANGLIN
MARGUERITE ANGLIN
MARGUERITE ANGLIN Marguerite Anglin is a Registered Architect, a LEED AP, a member of the AIA, and served on the Board of Trustees President of the Charter High School for Architecture and Design. Marguerite had a passion for creative design fields since she was young. During high school she took drafting courses that led her to architecture, which was a good marriage of both the creative and technical skills that she valued. Drawn to the diversity of the campus, Marguerite relocated from Chicago to attend college in Philadelphia at Temple University pursuing her Bachelor of Architecture degree. Winning the thesis award, her project merged her interest in art with architectural design. Her architectural education taught her how to think as an architect and problem solve, which is a skillset that can be applied in any career. Upon graduation, Marguerite worked at a small firm where she gained tremendous amount of experience, before transitioning to a larger firm, Wallace Roberts & Todd. Today, Marguerite is Associate Director of Architecture at Temple University’s Project Delivery Group, a position in which she directs design projects on the campus. This position marked a shift in her career from practicing as an architect to representing a client that hires architects. She leads planning and design efforts for the University, and provides oversight and support to the Project Delivery Group’s internal team of architects and designers. As the client representative for Temple University, she has found a meaningful career in architecture within higher education. While advancing her professional skills, Marguerite also developed an interest in community outreach and assumed leadership positions within various community organizations. Most notably, she is a former President of the Philadelphia Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (PhilaNOMA). Marguerite volunteers for PhilaNOMA’s summer program, Camp Sustain.Ability, which introduces architecture to middle and high school students. She has found that
many students come to the camp with a bias that architecture is too hard or that they aren’t good in math. She responds by saying that if you love buildings, architecture is not hard. Marguerite believes that there are many things you can do with architecture that affect people’s lives in different ways. Through her volunteer activities with PhilaNOMA and through her position at Temple, Marguerite is leaving a lasting impact on the city and its youth. Her advice for students is to continue being creative, do what interests you, and don’t let obstacles deter you. As exemplified in the career paths of four diverse professionals trained in architecture, it is apparent how invaluable an architectural education can be in shaping a career. With an emphasis on critical thinking and skillful problem solving, coupled with the development of a rigorous work process, an architectural education trains you to see things through a new lens. It teaches you how your unique skills can be leveraged towards positive change—for the environment and for your community—forging a unique path for your future career. n Fauzia Sadiq Garcia, AIA LEED AP is an Assistant Professor at Temple University, and the Principal of Sadiq Garcia Design, a visual art and design practice.
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PATHWAYS TO THE PROFESSION BY RACHEL S. SCHADE, AIA
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PHOTOS: CHRIS KENDIG
At our most recent NAAB Accreditation visit we learned, not surprisingly, that nearly all of the accredited schools of architecture have issues regarding the lack of diversity within our schools, similar but not nearly as dramatic as the problem in the profession nationally. We learned that there are those at the national level of the AIA that would like to hold the schools of architecture responsible for this issue, reasoning that the “pipeline” to the profession starts at the professional school level. I argue that this issue is deeper and more complex than simply turning this over to often understaffed recruiting and admissions departments, let alone the high cost and time required to receive a degree. In fact, the concept of becoming an architect is so foreign to so many young people that a radical shift is necessary. This article is intended to identify and celebrate three programs active in the Philadelphia region that are introducing Architecture and Design as a viable path for young people.
ARCHITECTURE IN EDUCATION In 1981, the Foundation for Architecture, in cooperation with the Philadelphia School District, the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, and local architecture firms developed a program to educate students from kindergarten through high school about architecture and the built environment. The program was conceived by Hermine Mitchell and developed into a robust and effective initiative that reached thousands of students while under the supervision of Rolaine Copeland, Greta Greenberger, and Marcy Abhau. Following the closing of the Foundation, AIE continued up until approximately seven years ago through the sheer willpower of Kristin Mullaney. Over the past two years, the Center for Architecture and Design’s K-12 Committee, under the leadership of Michael Spain, AIA has been working to revive this effective and important program. Two beta projects have recently been completed at the Alexander Adaire Elementary School. The updated curriculum, developed in collaboration with educational design consultancy PlusUs, is a four-week project for students in the third through fifth grade by a team of two architects. The projects are integrated into the existing classrooms with the cooperation of the teacher. Children begin to develop a sense of what they can become as adults at this age, which is critical for the advancement of a more diverse profession as children in at-risk environments rarely have exposure to design as a potential career. David Bender reports that since announcing the resurrection of the program, thirty-six volunteers have signed up to participate. The benefit? Even if students don’t go on to study architecture, they will have been exposed to the idea that they are able to have an impact on the environment around them. AIA Philadelphia | context | SPRING 2019 17
CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL FOR ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN “CHAD was founded in 1999 by the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Institute of Architects as the Legacy Project of the AIA National Convention held in Philadelphia in May, 2000. Located at 7th and Sansom Streets in Center City, the school is a 26,000-sf building within close proximity to Independence Mall, Washington Square Park, and the Athenaeum of Philadelphia (a private architectural library). The first charter school of its kind in the country, CHAD opened its doors to approximately 400 students in grades 9 through 11 in September 1999 and graduated its first class of 49 seniors in June 2001. Today, it enrolls over 500 students.�
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHAD
CHAD provides students with a unique exposure to multiple design options, as well as fosters a sense of community and optimism. Students take a series of foundation courses in their freshman year, and as they progress through the curriculum take an increasing number of credits in their selected major. Andrew Phillips, AIA, Chief Innovation Officer and teacher at CHAD for the past ten years, reports that 80% of their students enter college programs. This coming year, 13 students will graduate from the Architecture major. There are currently two student groups participating in the ACE Mentoring program, see below.
PHOTO COURTESY OF BERNARDON / ACE MENTOR EASTERN PA
ACE MENTOR PROGRAM Founded in 2000, the ACE Mentor Program of Eastern Pennsylvania provides regional high school students exposure to potential careers in architecture, engineering and construction. Under the mentorship of experienced professionals from leading building industry firms, students work in teams to pursue a range of after-school activities, including field trips to construction sites, discussions with project managers, tours of professional offices and more. In addition, each team works on a project that addresses “reallife” situations and issues. From November through May, meetings are typically held every other week from 4:00 to 6:00 PM in the offices of the team's mentors. It’s a perfect way to explore the building industry’s rich and diverse career opportunities. ACE Mentor Program of Eastern Pennsylvania works with approx. 300 students (Approx. 11 Teams) from 30 area high schools in Center City Philadelphia, as well as approx. 150 students in the suburbs of Montgomery County. Teams work on a variety of projects that represent all facets of the design and construction industry. Past projects have included mixed-use developments with retail and/or commercial occupancies on the street level, a new dormitory for the University of Pennsylvania, homes for Habitat for Humanity, community revitalization projects and even new skyscrapers that are changing the Philadelphia Skyline. To complete their projects, each team produces seven items (site plans, models, elevations, perspectives, etc.) from a list of required deliverables. The teams then used these items to demonstrate their project solutions during a special event for mentors, peers and other guests.
All active participating seniors who intend to pursue related fields at accredited institutions may apply for ACE scholarships. Since the beginning of program, the Eastern Pennsylvania program has awarded over $480,000 in scholarships. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Teachers, parents, architects, designers, engineers, and college students interested in participating can find more information at: Architecture in Education https://www.philadelphiacfa.org/programs-and-exhibitions Charter High School for Architecture and Design https://www.chadphila.org/about-chad/ ACE Mentor Program https://www.acementor.org/affiliates/pennsylvania/eastern/about-us/ See the Study Architecture site as described on the page 25 of this issue for useful information on summer programs and college/career fairs throughout the area, as well as sources for scholarships. n Rachel Schade is a full time faculty member in the Drexel Architecture program; teaching at various levels in the curriculum and coordinating with students and firms to find meaningful internships.
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THE LIFE OF AN ARCHITECTURE STUDENT BY KYLE TAVEIRA AND AMANDA COHEN Four architecture students, each from different schools across Philadelphia, are profiled to reveal the life of a typical architecture student—from studio, to homework, to full time jobs, and participation in professional development organizations. Each school has different teaching methods, such as co-op working programs, introduction to various technologies, and use of hands-on approaches. However, the profiles also reveal similarities in the values, lessons, and challenges the students face. They share similar experiences, including working in studio, participating in extracurricular activities, or firm crawls to get exposure to the professional world. Student groups, such as the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS), National Organization of Minority Architecture Students (NOMAS), and Women in Architecture, give students the opportunity to develop their leadership skills, while making life-long connections with other students and practicing professionals around the country and beyond.
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More than teaching students how to design, architecture school teaches students to think, to use their surroundings as precedents, and to critically consider how they can contribute to their communities in the future. All four schools promote students’ abilities to develop their ideas and to manifest them into design proposals, creating a sense of accomplishment when completed. However, few students will tell you that becoming an architect is easy. It is hard work and time-intensive, requiring significant critical thinking skills. Becoming a designer requires learning about the field, while also learning about yourself. One of the keys of success is being aware of your strengths and weaknesses, while consistently learning new ways to push your limits. Not everyone is skilled in the same things, and coming into architecture school in the first year, no two people are at exactly the same skill level. Architecture school is about truly having the passion to move forward in the field.
PATRICK PAPPIA
SCHOOL: Thomas Jefferson University College of Architecture and the Built Environment DEGREE: Bachelor of Architecture (5-Year Program) EXPECTED GRADUATION: Spring 2021 EXTRA CURRICULARS: AIAS Freedom By Design Director, Fencing
10 - 11 AM PREPARE FOR CLASS Patrick Pappia, a Bachelor of Architecture student at Jefferson University, prides himself on producing excellent work. His day often begins at 7am, one hour prior to his morning design studio that is held every Wednesday and Friday. After four hours of studio instruction, he often heads to the Kanbar Student Center to have lunch at the dining hall with friends and pick up his mail. Once he returns to studio, Patrick continues to work on his projects, focusing on different aspects of the design including research, constructing models, or developing his drawings. He also finds time to complete homework in his other classes.
1:30 - 3:30 PM HOMEWORK
3:45 - 6:15 PM
12:30 - 1 PM AIAS MEETING
On Fridays at 5:00pm, Patrick enjoys a different aspect of his college life—fencing practice. He is the current president and founder of the Fencing Club, which he considers a welcome escape from the stresses of architecture school. For two hours, he works with the team and assists them in developing their skills before heading back to studio to continue his work.
TECHNOLOGIES IV
6:30 - 9 PM VISUALIZATION II
9:15 PM - 3 AM STUDIO WORK At 2:00am, the studio closes, and Patrick heads home for a little more work, or some much needed rest. Patrick readily admits, “Architecture is no easy task.” He concedes that it might be one of the most challenging majors that one can pursue. However, when morning comes, Patrick wakes up ready to do it all again.
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AMANDA COHEN
SCHOOL: Drexel University, College of Media Arts and Design DEGREE: Bachelor of Architecture (2+4 Year Program) EXPECTED GRADUATION: Spring 2022 EXTRA CURRICULARS: Construction Management Minor, Pennoni Honors Program, AIAS Treasurer and National Finance Committee Member
7:30 - 8 AM COMMUTE TO WORK Amanda Cohen is a Bachelor of Architecture student in Drexel University’s 2+4 Architecture program. During the first two years of this curriculum, students take classes full time, including foundation classes, studio, and representation. Beginning third year, Drexel students obtain full-time internships where they begin logging their hours toward licensure. After working during the day, they attend school part-time in the evenings, enrolled in two or three classes each term for the remaining four years of the program. Amanda finds time to complete homework on nights that she doesn’t have class and on weekends.
11 AM - 12 PM COORDINATION MEETING
1:30 - 3:30 PM HOMEWORK
6 - 10 PM STUDIO WORK Currently a 3rd year student, Amanda lives in University City yearround. She is enrolled in evening classes three nights a week, and still finds time for extracurricular activities. She commutes by subway to Ewing Cole, an Architecture and Engineering firm near Independence Hall in Philadelphia. At Ewing Cole, she is exposed to a wide array of projects and design problems. She remarks, “I am consistently mentored and encouraged by everyone around me—all happy to see me learning—both at work and in school.”
10 - 10:30 PM GO HOME AND SLEEP
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Enrolled in Drexel’s Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure (IPAL) program, Amanda will take all six of her licensing exams while still in school. She plans to graduate in 2022 with over 4 years of work experience, an accredited Bachelor of Architecture degree, and an architecture license. Amanda believes architecture schools are evolving, moving steadily into the future, and that Drexel is paving that path.
KYLE TAVEIRA
SCHOOL: Temple University, Tyler School of Art DEGREE: Master of Architecture (4+1 Accelerated Program) EXPECTED GRADUATION: Summer 2019 EXTRA CURRICULARS: President of AIAS, Peer Mentor, Planning and Design Intern
7 - 8 AM COMMUTE TO SCHOOL
Temple Master of Architecture student, Kyle Taveira often brainstorms with others in his design studio, identifying concepts and potential solutions. Adept in many programs, he utilizes the Rhino software platform to digitally model basic forms and to diagram program studies of buildings. After he solidifies his concept, he develops his project in Autodesk Revit to detail the components of the building. He typically completes his work in studio, benefitting from conversations with his peers that identify their unique approaches to the project. In addition to 3D modeling on the computer, Kyle utilizes many different resources to generate models.
11 AM - 5 PM
8 - 11 AM
WORK IN OFFICE
CLASSES Kyle appreciates having different tools available to produce his work. He takes time in the mornings to set up 3D prints, allowing the full day to output the finished product. Late afternoons are commonly spent working in either the woodshop or in the digital labs producing massing studies with the laser cutters. However, he prefers to assemble models with by hand commenting, “It helps [me to] develop a better understanding of how the design would actually be built in the real world.” At the end of the week, Kyle often pin-ups and presents his work to fellow students and outside critics. This has taught him to be both confident and self-reflective. Ultimately, the process is critical to advancing his designs.
5 - 6:30 PM AIAS MEETING Outside of studio, he dedicates a lot of time leading Temple University’s chapter of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS). This student group meets weekly to plan firm and site tours and networking events, as well as social events that encourage students to take mental breaks from their coursework. For Kyle, AIAS has increased his sense of belonging within the program, while developing friendships with others in the school.
6:30 - 10 PM STUDIO WORK
10 - 11 PM COMMUTE HOME AIA Philadelphia | context | SPRING 2019 23
KATHARINE VAVILOV
SCHOOL: University of Pennsylvania, PennDesign, School of Design DEGREE: Master of Architecture (3-Year Program) EXPECTED GRADUATION: Spring 2021 EXTRA CURRICULARS: PWIA Professional Development Chair, Laser Cutter Operator
As a first-year graduate student at the University of Pennsylvania, Katharine’s spring semester begins with a one-week design competition. After conducting research and completing a site visit, she works with her group to collectively build a 3D model using the Rhino software program. Later in the week, she composes presentation boards working side by side with her peers. While finishing the boards, Katharine also utilizes the 3d printer to make an efficient and accurate model. Katharine has learned that time management is a key to success.
10:30 AM - 12 PM CLASSES
8 - 10 AM LASER OPERATOR
12 - 2 PM FIRM VISITS
For Katharine, studio is not the only important course within the curriculum. Other classes provide learning opportunities that increases her knowledge and improves her designs. For example, she was inspired by a construction site visit during which she learned how to build a masonry wall from professionals with the Masonry Institute. Katharine asserts, “If we understand the construction process that supports our designs, we can account for them, and adapt.” At the end of the week, when she completes the competition, she pins up her project with her classmates. Understanding the construction, her team constructs a moving model with a rail system.
2 - 6 PM STUDIO
6:30 - 8 PM PWIA MEETINGS
As well as working as a laser cutter operator and focusing on school work, Katharine is also part of the student-run organization, PennDesign Women in Architecture, where she serves as a Professional Development Chair. Through this student group, she organizes firm visits in NYC and Philadelphia, including a recent visit to Bureau V. Katharine also sets up events, such as Cocktails and Conversations where we have insightful talks with female lecturers and professors like Sophie Hochhäusl to discuss how to promote equity in the field. n Kyle Taveira and Amanda Cohen are architecture
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STUDIO WORK
students and members of the American Institute of Architecture Students.
EXPRESSION
StudyArchitecture is an online resource for high school and college students to help them find the architecture program that is right for them, learn about the impact that students and faculty are having in local communities, and find summer programs and career fairs. STUDY ARCHITECTURE IS PROVIDED BY THE
ACSA
TO LEARN MORE, VISIT
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STUDYARCHITECTURE.COM
BOOK REVIEW
WOMEN OF STEEL AND STONE ANNA M. LEWIS Chicago Review Press, 2017 STEPHANIE ARANDA
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uncreative job in civic service. In order to have a more stimulating work environment, Norma knew she needed to become a registered architect. Striving to defy odds once again, Norma passed her licensing exams on the first try and became the first African American woman architect to be licensed in New York State, and later the first in California. Norma went on to work Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill (SOM) before moving to California to work with Gruen Associates, where her career started to take off. After five years, she co-founded the largest women lead architectural firm Siegel, Sklarek, Diamond (SSD). Notable buildings Norma worked on are the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles and Terminal One at Los Angeles International Airport. In Norma, I think back to my high school self; a young Mexican girl who attended an all-girls high school in Texas where I had to prove my self worth against much wealthier and more privileged students. Margaret Ingels was an observant little girl. Growing up, Margaret pondered moisture she saw collected on glass, sparking her interest in condensation. This childhood interest made a huge impact on the living conditions inside of our homes today. Margaret attended the University of Kentucky where she became the first woman to graduate from the College of Mechanical Engineering. While working at the United States Bureau of Mines where she worked with other members of the American Society of Heating and Ventilating, she helped to develop the Anderson-Armspach dust determinator, an industry standard for air filtration. Her research and presentations on topics such as “Temperature, Humidity and Air Motion and Standard Method of Testing Dust Removal Efficiencies of Air Washers” and “Data on Air Dust Determinations” created standards to improve health, safetly, and comfort of air cleanliness in the building industry. She later helped to perfect the sling psychrometer used to determine relative humidity in the air. Margaret gained fame among per profession and was recognized
PHOTO COURTESY OF CORNELIA HAHN OBERLANDER
Women of Steel and Stone by Anna M. Lewis is a delightful book about inspirational women who have shaped the built environment. The book contains stories of 22 women in the fields of architecture, engineering, and landscape architecture, each of whom has significantly contributed to their respective professions as we know them today. Each woman had an incredibly unique and inspiring story, and as I read through each I pondered how the next portion of their story would pan out. It was refreshing to read about women who fearlessly tackle any odds or barriers. Reading their stories assured me that any struggle a young woman like myself faces can be conquered with the right mindset and determination; I could see a little piece of myself in each story. There are three stories that resonated the most with me, those of architect Norma Merrick Sklarek, engineer Margaret Ingels, and landscape architect Cornelia Hahn Overlander. There are profiles of some notable architects such as Zaha Hadid and Denise Scott Brown, but I was more inspired by the story of Norma Merrick Sklarek, the first African American woman to be bestowed the honor of a fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA) in 2003. Growing up in Harlem, Norma spent much of her time doing “boy things” such as fishing, painting the house, and doing carpentry work. As an only child, she always kept busy. She attended an all-girls high school in the neighborhood next to hers, however, Norma was ostracized by several students and teachers at the 98% white school. Norma worked to prove her worth in every subject and opportunity. After speaking with her father, she decided that studying architecture would best combine all of her interests. She attended Columbia University and saw that architecture school offered little to no space or respect for women trying to pursue the field. After school, she struggled with obtaining a job and finally landed an
PHOTO COURTESY OF MARGARET INGELS COLLECTION (UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY) PHOTO: GRUEN ASSOCIATES
nationally multiple times. Her most famous talk is called “Petticoats and Slide Rules” where she honors women who came before her in her profession as well as encourages current female engineers to build pathways for aspiring women engineers to travel free of prejudices and discrimination. In 1996, Margaret was posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame of the American Society of Heating, Cooling, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). Reading Margaret’s story, I felt proud of the seeming odd interests I had growing up, such as writing stories and imagining floor plans. Margaret’s story is a testament to stay true to yourself and develop your interests, as you can take them anywhere you want them to go. At age 11, while getting her portrait painted, Cornelia Hahn Oberlander studied a maplike painting of the Rhine River. Her curiosity moved her eyes from one part of the painting to another, studying how each component related to the other. She noticed how the green areas broke up the otherwise dense settlement and later in the day exclaimed to her mother, a horticulturist, that she wanted to design parks. Growing up in Düsseldorf and Berlin with beautiful gardens gave Cornelia plenty of opportunity to play and learn outside. Her family fled Nazi Germany in 1938 and moved to the United States when Cornelia was 17 years old. She enrolled at Smith College as a major in architecture and landscape architecture. During each school project, Cornelia loved studying the challenges each site had to offer, from poor drainage to high winds. After Smith, Cornelia was one of the first women to be admitted to the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Cornelia continued to spend as much time as possible outdoors. In 1951, Cornelia moved to Philadelphia and served as a community planner for the Citizens’ Council on City Planning. She worked with Louis Kahn and felt bad that children didn’t get to enjoy nature the way she did growing up. “If kinds don’t have contact with nature, how will they ever come to understand it, learn to care about it, respect it, and cooperate with it?” Cornelia became a specialist for designing children’s playgrounds, hoping they would be that little piece of nature for every child. In 1953, Cornelia and her husband Peter moved to Vancouver, Canada. In addition to
the 70+ playgrounds she has designed, Cornelia also designed the landscapes of many high-profile buildings in the United States and Canada including the rooftop gardens at the Vancouver Public Library. Cornelia’s story reveals a real love for the natural world, nurtured in childhood experiences that inspired her to incorporate beauty into everyday life. Like Cornelia, I grew up in a big city with a humble garden to call my own. It was there that I learned how to care for the various food and flowering plants with my grandma. Growing up with an appreciation for nature, as Cornelia described, makes me determined to take care of the environment as much as I can. Do you feel as inspired as I do? These women of action and change have shaped the world around us. With several other stories in the book Women of Steel and Stone, as well as in real life, there is a lot of inspiration out there! Women of Steel and Stone is a book that I recommend, whether it be from cover to cover or of select stories. I hope that anyone reading this book, no matter their gender, ethnicity, or social status, can see a little bit of themselves in these women, seek inspiration to pursue their passions despite odds, and find a little strength to create a better world. n Stephanie Aranda is a fourth year student in the 2+4 Bachelor of Architecture program at Drexel University. She has worked as a full-time intern at Sargenti Architects since early 2018.
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LOCATION: Philadelphia, PA CLIENT: The School District of Philadelphia PROJECT SIZE: 13,750 SF PROJECT TEAM: The Sheward Partnership, LLC (Architect) HAKS Engineering (MEP, Structural, Civil Engineer) Corsi Associates (Food Service and Kitchen Design Consultant) TE Construction (General Contractor) Tom Crane (Photographer)
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PHOTOS: TOM CRANE
PROJECT: Mayfair Elementary School Major Renovation & Addition
DESIGN PROFILE MAYFAIR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
THE SHEWARD PARTNERSHIP The Sheward Partnership was commissioned by the School District of Philadelphia to design a combination addition and renovation of Mayfair Elementary School, located in Northeast Philadelphia. The new addition comprises 12 new classrooms and additional student restroom facilities. The school’s existing cafeteria and kitchen was expanded and renovated to accommodate a growing student population. The expanded cafeteria allows the school to provide lunches over fewer sessions and permits cooking on site, which promotes a wider meal choice and healthier food options. This project’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability is evident throughout its design. All regularly occupied areas receive day-long natural light and views to the exterior. Each addition also boasts high-efficiency and long-lasting LED light fixtures, reducing both energy and maintenance costs. Over recent years The Mayfair School has seen a marked and continuing increase in enrollment. This had put great pressure on the existing school’s facilities which, for example, relied on the use of several classroom trailers and multiple lunch sessions to meet the demand. The purpose of the Mayfair classroom and cafeteria addition was to provide badly needed enlargement of the capacity and quality of the schools facilities. During the early stages of design it became evident that an increase in the proposed number of classrooms from six to twelve was needed. The School District and the design professionals led by The Sheward Partnership rose to this challenge and provided a rapid revision to the program and the corresponding design. A further design challenge for the project was to provide the increased facilities while, at the same time, minimizing use of the site and outdoor play areas. To achieve this the approach taken by TSP was to graft the additions closely onto the existing school building thereby preserving open area. n
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DESIGN PROFILE HAMILTON COURT AMENITIES BUILDING
Coscia Moos Architecture
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PROJECT: Hamilton Court Amenities Building LOCATION: Philadelphia, PA CLIENT: Post Brothers Apartments PROJECT SIZE: 9,200 SF PROJECT TEAM: Post Brothers (Owner) Coscia Moos Architecture (Architect and Interior Design) H.C. Pody Company (Construction) CVM (Structural Engineer) FXB Engineering (Mechanical Engineer) BEAM, Ltd. (Lighting Design)
PHOTOS: HALKIN | MASON PHOTOGRAPHY
The new Hamilton Court Amenities Building in Philadelphia, Pa., stands in modern contrast to its 1901 surrounding apartment complex. The glass and metal structure designed by Coscia Moos Architecture opened in Fall 2018 to serve residents of the 105-unit Hamilton Court, most of which are students at the nearby University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University. Owner Post Brothers commissioned the architecturally distinctive 9,200-square-foot structure to attract tenants in the competitive University City market. Designed in 1901 by Milligan and Webber, Hamilton Court was developed as a hotel and residences under the idea of creating “villages” connected to the larger street system. Noted for its Venetian Gothic architecture, Hamilton Court is comprised of seven buildings surrounding a central courtyard. The courtyard was organized around an ornate fountain and gardens; over time, these elements were demolished, and the courtyard paved and converted to parking. The design scope for the new Hamilton Court Amenities Building called for a modern adjunct to the historic building, constructed separately on the long-neglected courtyard, so as not to disturb the existing structure. Given its position in the courtyard, the new structure was designed with a large amount of glass to reflect the Venetian style design language of the surrounding apartment building. The building contains one ground floor retail space and second floor amenities including a fitness center, pool, hot tub, and two terraces. The building is clad in curtain wall and brick with a faceted, perforated aluminum skin wrapping most of the second floor. A galvanized sub-frame supports the skin, which is tied back to the primary steel structure located between the curtain wall supports. The architectural design developed from an initial request for a glass box to a geometric abstraction combining glass and a veil-like metal skin. The result offers transparency, privacy, and a contrasting design language that seeks to engage with not only residents of Hamilton Court but also with those in the surrounding neighborhood. Members of the design and construction team worked closely to ensure executable design, efficient fabrication, and phased construction. The team used Building Information Modeling (BIM) to understand the complex geometry and maximize reflection and interplay of light and shadow between glass and steel. Residents have had a full semester to use the new building. Owner Post Brothers, which made an intentional request to let dramatic architecture be one of the new building’s amenities, says the response has been positive from residents and prospects alike. In 2016, the Hamilton Court Amenities Building was honored with an AIA Philadelphia Design Award of Merit as an unbuilt project. n
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DESIGN PROFILE MARTIN LUTHER KING OLDER ADULT CENTER
SMP Architects The Martin Luther King Older Adult Center was formerly housed in the Martin Luther King Recreation Center at 2101 Cecil B. Moore Avenue. At times, the Older Adult Center (OAC) was able to utilize Rec Center space to expand its offerings. However, attendance numbers were limited and the availability of programs for older adults was constrained by the needs of the Rec Center. In order to more fully serve the older adult constituency in this neighborhood, SMP designed a new building to house only the Older Adult Center and its programs. The new OAC is located across the street from the Rec Center, providing continuity for the members. Light filled open spaces and environmentally responsible construction welcome the members to the building, which houses large open activity spaces, food service areas, and classroom spaces for art, fitness, technology, and other pursuits. n
PROJECT: Martin Luther King Older Adult Center LOCATION: Philadelphia, PA CLIENT: City of Philadelphia, Department of Parks & Recreation PROJECT SIZE: 10,000 SF PROJECT TEAM: SMP Architects (Architect) KS Engineers (Civil and Structural Engineer)
PHOTOS: HALKIN | MASON PHOTOGRPAHY
Burris Engineers | now part of Arora Engineers (MEP Engineer)
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UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK
Ballinger
LOCATION: College Park, MD CLIENT: University of Maryland, College Park PROJECT SIZE: 184,000 SF PROJECT TEAM: Ballinger (Architect, Mechnical and Electrical Engineer) Columbia Engineering, Inc. (Structural Engineer) Mahan Rykiel Associates, Inc. (Landscape Architect) Site Resources, Inc. (Civil Engineer) Jacobs Consultancy, Inc. (Lab Planning) WFT Engineering, Inc. (Consulting Engineer) Forella Group (Cost Estimating) Acentech (A/V Consultant) Sustainable Design Consulting (LEED) Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. (Envelope) The Lighting Practice (Lighting Design) Facility Dynamics Engineering (Commissioning Authority) Clark Construction (General Contractor)
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PHOTOS: JAMES EWING
PROJECT: University of Maryland, College Park | A. James Clark Hall
The 184,000 GSF, six-floor A. James Clark Hall is located at the University of Maryland, College Park Campus in suburban Washington, DC and is the flagship building for the A. James Clark School of Engineering. The program includes School of Engineering learning spaces and research environments for the Fischell Department of Bioengineering and Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices. Remote from the historic campus core, Clark Hall establishes a new architectural precedent for the Northeast District as a transparent, porous engineering beacon. Its faceted form manages scale and aligns with the adjacent Kim Engineering Building. This establishes a new linear campus green with a two-story, 215’ long studentteam innovation lab, forum and teaching spaces as an engaging transparent backdrop along a primary campus entry. A DNA-inspired solar shading veil, symbolic of the bioengineering program within, identifies the four-story flexible and transparent research environment above. This terra-cotta colored sun shade, in combination with brick, references the Georgian campus context. A vertical recess signifies a three-story research commons and a transparent two-story chiller plant serves as didactic engagement for engineering students passing by. Internally, systems are exposed and composed forming an orchestrated integration of architecture and engineering in an open, transparent environment to inspire creativity for learning and discovery. Energy wheels, passive solar shading, high efficiency chillers, displacement ventilation and 100% storm water management are amongst many environmental stewardship features that contributed to LEED Gold Certification. n
AIA Philadelphia | context | SPRING 2019 35
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36 SPRING 2019 | context | AIA Philadelphia
photo credit: Genesis Architects & Engineers
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DESIGN PROFILE PETER W. RODINO FEDERAL BUILDING NEW VESTIBULE
PHOTOS: EDGAR DE LA COVA
DCM Architecture & Engineering, LLC
The Peter W. Rodino Federal Office Building is a 16 story, 467,550 square foot structure housing several government agencies, including the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Regional Center, the General Services Administration, and the US Attorney’s Office. DCM used the structural pattern of the existing concrete-clad façade to design the mullion grid of the new two-story curtain wall system. The supporting structure for the new canopy that cantilevers over the plaza remains hidden behind these curtain wall mullions, making this large stainless-steel canopy appear to float. Elevated six feet above the plaza, the expansion of the Walnut Street vestibule required redesign of the stairs leading up to the raised platform in order to meet ADA clearance requirements Inside, the vestibule’s interior provides a modern look yet remains warm and welcoming to the public. From the street, visitors enter into a double-height space with reflective glass ceiling panels and light-colored marble cladding; ribbed to match the texture used on the concrete panels outside. Perforated wood panels cover the new blast resistant CMU barrier, creating a softer color scheme while also helping to reduce noise. Radiant floor heating helps to alleviate cold drafts in the winter. Composite panels completely separate the central exit corridor from the two entries. Finished in brushed aluminum and mimicking the wood panels’ perforation, these panels allow the guards to see into the exit corridor for additional safety measures, while still providing access control. n
PROJECT: Peter W. Rodino Federal Building New Vestibule LOCATION: Newark, NJ CLIENT: Government PROJECT SIZE: 3,100 SF PROJECT TEAM: DCM Architecture & Engineering (Architect, Engineer, Design-Build Contractor) Urban Engineers (Structural Engineer) Applied Research Associates (Blast Analysis) Roberto J. Gómez (Lighting Design) DS Specialties Inc (Door Hardware) Dattner Architects (Collaborators)
AIA Philadelphia | context | SPRING 2019 37
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