Workshop Lofts
Philadelphia, PA.
Philadelphia, PA.
The Workshop Lofts are an exploration of a mixed used residential building that also introduced the ability for residents to have home offices for their businesses. The building is on the corner of 32nd and Race Streets at and lies on the north border of Drexel University. The building would include some retail spaces that cater to college students which would act as the public face of the building along the sidewalk on both 32nd and Race Streets. The workshop lofts would focus on the interior courtyard of the building to still provide easy access to all offices, but provide a semi private space for the residents. The building utilizes a green roof that is accessible to all tenants of the building that offers breath taking panoramic views of Center City, Fairmount Park, and The Art Museum. All of the residences have large windows that allows light deep into the spaces to reduce the reliance on artificial lighting and provide a striking visual splash of color at night which contrasts the monochromatic nature of the building during the day.
Surround Context:
The project serves as a transition from the high density of Drexel University's Campus to the medium density rowhouses of Powelton Village. As such, the building was designed to tie into the modern aesthetic of the University, but be in scale with the houses that the complex backs up to. The changes in roof level allow for a more diverse building elevation, the introduction of clerestory windows, and creates more private and intimate green spaces on the roof.
Building Section:
The interior courtyard of the building serves multiple purposes such as allowing light on both ends of many of the units, providing a semi-private entry for the residents, and creates a semi-private green space for recreational activities for all in the building. The underground parking receives light through the use of several light wells that have been cut through the courtyard that allows natural light down into the bottom of the building as well as fresh air.
Interior Spaces:
The interior living areas of the residences are spacious flexible rooms, with a large wall of windows that lets natural light stream into the spaces. Be it night or day, anyone inside of the building will still have a sense of what time of day it is, and be able to appreciate the surrounding views, be it Center City, Powelton Village, or the collection of residential towers on Drexel's Campus.
