Pinard Architects - Philadelphia

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Project Overview

Plans for this 3,700 square foot commercial property call for total renovations to transform it into a bustling think tank for afro-centric philosophies. Making the facade clean and embracing is critical to the institute having a successful presence within its busy urban location.

The existing plan is a unique 13′ × 142′ footprint, making for a challenging design problem when the program calls for a gift shop, gallery, libraries, offices and meeting rooms. The new design has the public areas of the gift shop, reception area, library, art gallery, and lecture room sequentially laid out from front to back permitting users to walk through each space and becoming progressively embraced as one moves further into the building. Offices and administration functions are on the upper floors.

The gift shop window will be a presence on the street front, announcing upcoming events and showing off cultural items with the glass wall of the shop also running alongside the entry vestibule leading to a reception area. Simple African themed columns and murals are planned for the interiors.

The project is in the heart of the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia.

2011