Featured News
Future Hiring
While we are not actively seeking to enlarge our team, we are interested in exploring the potential for future relationships.
Bringing Carbon into Context
SMP Principal, Todd Woodward, co-edited this issue of Context and wrote a review for Hannah Ritchie’s thought-provoking book “Not the End of the World”.
As the editors note –
This chemical element with periodic symbol C and atomic number 6 is a necessary component of all forms of terrestrial life, and yet we now find ourselves in an existential race to reduce its impact on life. 🌎
Have you read the latest issue of Context? Paste the link in your browser for some interesting & insightful articles!
https://aiaphiladelphia.org/news/context-fall-2024
#carbon #climatechange #emissions #architecture #design #sustainability #greenbuilding #resiliency #decarbonizingbuildings #philadelphia
SMP Architects is honored to share that the new Air Liquide Center for Science and Innovation at the French International School of Philadelphia recently received a Preservation Award from the Lower Merion Township! 🎉
SMP, along with our dedicated team of consultants, designed the recent adaptive reuse of the historic Vandiver House into a new science center as part of a larger campus expansion.
After years of deferred maintenance by the prior owner, the original Victorian era charm of the building has been restored, and its contemporary addition visually links the science center to the new Casey-Willig Arts Center, which is also designed by SMP.
The Science Center houses seminar rooms and a maker space science lab, and the Arts Center provides two large new classrooms and a multipurpose room/cafeteria. In addition to the new buildings, the campus expansion creates a central landscaped courtyard and large green play area.
Swipe to see some Before/After magic!💫
#adaptivereuse #philadelphia #historicpreservation #science #arts #education #architecture #playspace #courtyard
The Philadelphia Zoo is celebrating its 150th Anniversary this year! 🦍
SMP is honored to have worked on the KidZooU project that was completed in 2013. The project involved renovation of the former pachyderm house into a new education center and home for the children’s zoo, a new stables complex for rare domestic breed animals, a new restroom and support building, extensive reworking of the project site, and interactive educational exhibits.
The facility inspires children and families to be stewards of the environment while teaching about energy conservation and natural ecosystems through animal contact and care. 🌿🐐
#design #architecture #philadelphia #zoo #adaptivereuse
SMP Architects joined Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., and the Baker Playground Advisory Committee at a ceremonial ground breaking for the expansion of the building at Baker Playground, on Lansdowne Avenue near 55th Street.
The project will add a new multipurpose space and fully renovate the small recreation center, allowing it to better serve the local community for many years to come.
A proposed Phase 2 of the project will further improve the site around the building at a future date.
Throwback to two weeks ago when we watched the Phillies win!⚾🎉
#baseball #gophillies #officeouting #teambonding #philadelphia
Construction work is steadily progressing at The Miquon School!
We are looking forward to the scheduled completion before the new school year begins this Fall!
#design #architecture #pennsylvania #schooldesign #sustainability #progressiveeducation
SMP Architects, collaborating with our longtime partner, Viridian Landscape Studio, is designing a new center for a nonprofit land conservation client.
The facility will house both administrative and visitor-focused spaces, including a Conservation Gallery, a multipurpose classroom, ecological research laboratories, staff offices, and collaborative work areas.
The project will pursue LEED Certification at the highest feasible level, with a goal of Platinum, and regardless of the level of certification achieved, the conservation organization’s vision for the project is a model of environmentally responsible decision-making for the surrounding region.
Recognizing Earth Day as we strive to make progress in our sustainability efforts on every project, every day, and at every level. 🌎🌿
#earthday #earthmonth #design #sustainability #architecture
SMP would like to welcome our newest team member, Stephen!🎉
Originally from Pittsburgh, Stephen moved to Philadelphia 7 years ago. He has an M.Arch. from SCI-Arc in Los Angeles, and before joining SMP was working independently and in collaboration with @leogardendesign. He is also an adjunct instructor at Drexel University.
At SMP, Stephen has been working on renovations to the Cecil B. Moore branch of the Free Library and projects for the Tavern Group in the gayborhood.
Currently, he’s spending most of his free time designing renovations to the rowhome he bought with his partner in Mantua. 🏡
We are delighted to be a part of the this renovation by Rebuild at Cecil B. Moore Library!
Swipe to see some thoughtful notes and comments from the community during a recent community engagement meeting.
#architecture #freelibraryofphiladelphia #design #philadelphia
Construction is under progress at the new comfort stations and shower houses at Hickory Run State Park!
#architecture #pennsylvania #design #hickoryrunstatepark
We Are Hiring…Again
Work directly with one of our municipal clients on neighborhood improvement.
Principal Todd Woodward Honored
SMP Principal Todd Woodward was recently recognized at the 2020 AIA Philadelphia Design Awards with the Alan Greenberger Award for his years of service to the Community Design Collaborative. The award recognizes an AIA Philadelphia member for contributions and commitment to the Collaborative’s mission: strengthening neighborhoods through design. Todd’s past and current volunteer service includes co-chairing the board, committee participation, design team involvement, and co-authoring Leverage: Strengthening Neighborhoods through Design, a book celebrating the Collaborative’s decades of success.
Collaborations in Conservation
Helping organizations achieve long-term sustainability and improving the quality of life for building inhabitants and visitors is core to our mission at SMP Architects. One such organization is the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). DCNR is responsible for managing over 2 million acres of state forest and 121 state parks. SMP has worked with DCNR for over twenty years, helping them realize a range of facilities including offices, public restrooms, welcome centers and environmental education centers. For SMP, each DCNR project is an opportunity to build within a natural setting while sensitively respecting and responding to each unique program and ecosystem. Our designs for the Tiadaghton Resource Management Center, Ohiopyle Falls Visitor Center, and Nature Inn at Bald Eagle State Park are helping Pennsylvania advance its leadership in sustainable design.
Construction Progress: The Shirley Quadrivium Center at The Hill School
Here at SMP, we often ask ourselves: “How do we reuse what we have, and build only what we need?” Our design for The Hill School’s Shirley Quadrivium Center is a local response to this ethical question. As construction nears its mid-point, here is a project update.
Lions Gate Recognized for Outstanding Design and Planning
SMP’s Lions Gate at Penn State Abington has been honored with the 2018 Montgomery Award from the Montgomery County Planning Commission. This prestigious annual program promotes awareness of outstanding design and innovative planning by recognizing the best in planning, design, and advocacy in Montgomery County. The project transformed an abandoned car dealership parking lot into a lushly landscaped extension of the Penn State Abington campus. The jury described the project as “a transformative redevelopment project awarded for innovative design, community investment, and sustainable practices.” The 400 bed LEED Gold residence hall combines the social and academic opportunities of a traditional dormitory with shared apartment style living units.