U. picks two architects for Hamilton Village work

Current plans call for the construction of two low-rise college houses and the renovation of all existing facilities in the area. According to Director of College Houses and Academic Services David Brownlee, the two firms have developed a preliminary plan that may lead to the construction of two low-rise residences and the conversion of at least one of the three high rises into two college houses in one building. The latest plan unveiled by the architects does not yet have a specific price tag attached, and construction may begin as early as the spring of 2001. Vancouver-based Patkau Architects and Philadelphia-based Kieran, Timberlake & Harris were selected from a group of six internationally renowned firms that submitted proposals this summer for the construction of new residential facilities and renovating the existing buildings of Hamilton Village, formerly known as Superblock. Brownlee said the two firms were chosen to design specific parts of Hamilton Village but that more firms may be chosen to lay out other components of the project. Officials refused to provide either firm's plans prior to their scheduled release to the University community next month. In one part of the project, Patkau will design two low-rise houses situated in the northwest corner of Hamilton Village -- defined as the area bordered by Walnut, 39th and 40th streets and Locust Walk -- that will create about 700 new beds which will serve as swing space while existing residences are renovated. The space is currently empty fields used for recreational purposes. The other 300 beds will be added to the existing residences. One proposed new residence may be situated north of Hamilton College House and consist of multiple buildings surrounding a courtyard. Another low rise may be built on the field to the west of Hamilton and will also incorporate several buildings bordering an inner courtyard. The house may include retail or office space on the ground floor along 40th Street. "They're essentially courtyard configurations," Patkau architect David Shone said. That house may also contain a "visual arts hub" where the practice, study and enjoyment of the visual arts in video, film, photography, painting, sculpture and other media may be furthered. The Walnut West Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library, which sits at the corner of 40th and Walnut streets, will be incorporated into the designs, Brownlee said, adding that the University may construct a new building for the library on that plot of land if library officials request it. Shone said his firm was honored to design specific aspects of the long-term project. "In general we're always looking for opportunities to work on interesting and exciting projects and this certainly fits into that category," Shone said. "Fortunately we were very lucky to be selected for part of it." And Kieran, Timberlake & Harris will study Hamilton House, formerly High Rise North, to determine if the residence can be split into two separate college houses of about 500 residents each, with separate lobbies, elevators and public spaces, officials said. Hamilton currently houses slightly fewer than 800 undergraduates. Brownlee said that if successful, the model may be applied to all three high rises. Vice President for Campus Services Larry Moneta said officials showed interest in the firm's ideas because of concern that the high rises are too big to accommodate one college house and a community atmosphere. "Ideally, if there's a way to shrink them and have smaller communities, then services can be provided more intimately," Moneta said. Besides exploring ways to divide the residence into two college houses, firm partner Stephen Kieran said his firm will also consider rectifying the "wind tunnel" effect in Hamilton Village and could construct small additions to the top and bottom of Hamilton to accommodate programming needs in the facility. Bay windows in hallways throughout the residence and more common spaces in upper levels of the high rise -- as well as the addition of single rooms with kitchens -- are also possibilities being considered, Kieran added. Kieran said the firm was immediately interested in the project, calling it "a huge opportunity to be involved in remaking four blocks of Philadelphia." Officials said they were pleased with all six of the designs submitted in the contest. The decision was reached in part by a consultative committee of students, faculty and staff and will be released next month to the public for consideration. "We learned something from every one of those designs," Brownlee said. Vice President for Facilities Services Omar Blaik added, "The competition really provided us with the opportunity to take a look at how six different architectural firms, receiving exactly the same instructions, can really solve all our problems in six different ways." This phase of the project will also see the renovation of the Class of 1920 Commons. There will likely be some sort of connection built between Harnwell College House and the dining facility.