Baldwin School Innovation Center Philadelphia, USA education facility design, American architecture images
Baldwin School Innovation Center in Philadelphia
Jan 31, 2023
Architects: Voith and Mactavish Architects
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Photos by Jeffrey Totaro
Baldwin School Innovation Center, USA
Looking to renew an existing poolhouse that was no longer needed, The Baldwin School saw in it an opportunity to create a new and flexible space for its students. It is an all-girls’ school that ranges from Pre-K to 12th grade so one of the main challenges of this project was to make this space comfortable and safe for students of all ages.
The intention of this area would be to support student collaboration and interdisciplinary education on the campus, by creating a space for students to keep learning, making, and sharing. The process started with a feasibility study and conceptual design to help guide future improvements, and it later advanced into design documentation and construction.
The original building, with a footprint of approx. 3,500 square feet, consisted mainly of a large open space where the pool was excavated. To make the most out of these existing conditions and avoid unnecessary costs, the void formerly occupied by the pool was converted into a sunken seating area, which can be accessed by steps or a ramp; but it can also be covered over as needed, to maximize the efficiency of the space.
With the intention to further optimize efficiency during busy schooldays, flexible tables and seating were placed to allow for quick and different reconfigurations. Together with the sunken seating, situated low to the ground, there is a comfortable place for even the youngest students. Storage, whiteboards, and display space are all available low to the ground. Higher up, out of reach of small hands, there is also a makerspace area with three 3D printers and other crafting tools which can be utilized creatively by older students on a variety of projects.
The area looks clean and orderly, but also spacious and dynamic thanks in part to the finishes used throughout. Neutral colors and materials, such as the wood flooring and ceiling, combine with white surfaces with all details in blue. Bright cushions provide a strategic burst of additional color. Through a series of French doors that open to an adjacent courtyard patio, this renewed space connects physically and visually with the rest of campus, while allowing natural light to flood into the interior, resulting in a lively environment that promotes learning and development for students.
Baldwin School Innovation Center in Philadelphia, USA – Building Information
Architects: https://voithandmactavish.com/
Builder: Warfel Construction
Owner’s Rep: Watchdog
Civil: Chester Valley Engineers
Structural: DCI + MacIntosh
MEP: Bruce E. Brooks & Associates
Landscape: Viridian
AV/IT: KMK Technologies
About Voith and Mactavish Architects
Voith and Mactavish Architects is a Philadelphia-based architecture firm whose work is founded on innovation within the context of tradition, a commitment to process, sustainability, and stewardship of the environment, and our focus on craftsmanship and beauty inform our work. Ever mindful of our stewardship of the built and natural environment, we offer preservation services and all aspects of sustainable design.
Photography: Jeffrey Totaro
Baldwin School Innovation Center, Philadelphia, USA images / information received 310123
Address: 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130, United States
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