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
Visitor Center at Ohiopyle Honored
The Falls Area Visitor Center at Ohiopyle State Park was honored by the Green Building Alliance (GBA) at their Emerald Evening on Thursday September 20, 2018. On the occasion of its 25th Anniversary, the GBA, a nonprofit organization based in Pittsburgh, recognized the 25 most influential green buildings in western Pennsylvania constructed in the last 25 years. Awardees were selected for verified innovation in design and maintenance across a diversity of sectors, building types, and project scales, and their collective efforts have elevated sustainable building practices in Western Pennsylvania. SMP Principal Todd Woodward, Park Manager Ken Bisbee, and Deputy Secretary of DCNR Michael Walsh were on hand to accept the award.
East Park Canoe House Ribbon Cutting
On March 9th, the Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly renovated East Park Canoe House. This 1914 Spanish Mission Revival style building, designed by Walter T. Smedley, is located on the Schuylkill River along Kelly Drive in Fairmount Park and is a contributing feature to the National Register Historic District of Fairmount Park. After suffering serious deterioration and closing in 2008 due to structural failures, SMP led the design efforts to extensively rehabilitate the interior and exterior. Now restored to its original use as a boathouse, the space will be shared by the Temple University rowing and crew teams and the Philadelphia Police Marine Unit.
Grand Opening for Frances Slocum Environmental Education Center
On August 26th, Frances Slocum State Park celebrated the grand opening of their recently expanded Patrick J. Solano Environmental Education Center. The new expansion provides an updated facility for environmental education, park programming, and interpretation while immersing park visitors in the natural environment. The Center includes interior and exterior educational spaces, staff offices, exhibit space, and public restrooms. At the opening ceremony, Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said, "This building will really serve the youth of this area and open their eyes to the environment and to the outdoors.”
GFS Science Center Published
The Wade Science Center at Germantown Friends School has been published as a case study in Energy Accounts, published by Routledge in 2016. With text written by SMP Principals David Ade and Todd Woodward, the building at GFS is cited as an example of environmentally responsible and regionally appropriate architecture. Subtitled "Architectural Representations of Energy, Climate, and the Future", Energy Accounts seeks to understand approaches to accounting for, representing, and designing around issues of energy use and performance.
Nature Inn is #1!
The Nature Inn at Bald Eagle has been named the Best Eco-Friendly Hotel by USA Today. The Nature Inn is a LEED Gold, SMP design building for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and is located at Bald Eagle State Park in Howard PA. Thanks to all who voted for this award-winning project, and to all who choose environmentally responsible lodging when they travel. For more information on the Nature Inn and the 10 Best Eco-Friendly Hotels, visit this link.