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.
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. 🏡
Writers House Honored by Preservation Alliance
The Writers House at Rutgers-Camden, designed by SMP Architects, was recognized by the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia with a Grand Jury Award. Originally known as the Henry Genet Taylor House at 305 Cooper Street, the building was designed by Wilson Eyre. The Writers House includes classrooms, meeting space, and a design lab for digital writing programs. It will host the annual Writers in Camden series, student readings, special events, and house the offices of StoryQuarterly, a literary journal published by the master of fine arts program. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was sensitively renovated to maintain its historic character.
Ohiopyle Visitor Center Certified and Recognized
The visitor center at Ohiopyle State Park has achieved LEED Gold Certification. Incorporating an ecological wastewater treatement system, a ground coupled heating and cooling system, salvaged stone, and other responsible design strategies, the building serves to educate visitors on the significance of environmental awareness and decision-making within the natural setting of a state park.
SMP Collaborates with DCNR
SMP has collaborated with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for nearly 10 years on multiple projects located within State Parks and State Forests throughout the state.