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PLAYARTS
Early Childhood Education
Adaptive Reuse, Deep Energy Retrofit
4,500 SF
Philadelphia, PA: Fishtown
The ‘Front & Thompson Public Bath’ was built in 1907 to provide citizens with centralized access to hygienic bathing facilities. It was strategically located at the crossroads of three neighborhoods: Fishtown, South Kensington and Northern Liberties. Today, the structure is reimagined as a locally grown, play-based arts and enrichment center for child cognitive development. In addition to the main space for adventure-play, the program includes classrooms for art, music and dance instruction as well as a small cafe. Preservation and sustainability were key to the project’s mission. The design team focused on energy savings, long-term durability, low embodied carbon materials and indoor air quality. PlayArts represents a return to the era of holistic community thinking while advancing the push to healthy building restoration in Philadelphia.
![PlayArts Rendering](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2bf416_b5055c8662a44bbaad40eb1c172c329f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_98,h_63,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/playarts_axion%20plain.jpg)
PROJECT STATS
Deep Energy Retrofit
Building Metrics
Energy Use Intensity: 30.53
Building Envelope
Slab On Grade: Existing to remain
Above Grade Walls: R-21
Roof: R-42 / R-49
Building Systems
Power / Fuel Source(s): All electric
Energy recovery ventilation
Heat pump water heater
Solar ready
Foam-free assemblies
Photography
Exterior: Dave Apple
Interior: Kristen Zubriski
Awards & Recognition
2020 AIA Philadelphia: Historic Preservation/Adaptive Reuse, Merit Award
2018 Green Building United: Groundbreaker Award
2018 Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia: Achievement Award
2018 SARA: Professional, Silver Award