KSS Architects Capabilities

KSS ARCHITECTSCAPABILITIES 2017



CONTENTS 1 IDEAS AND WORK105 WHO WE ARE



IDEAS AND WORK

OUR IDEASThe ideas that INSPIREDESIGN are the same ideasthat DESIGN IMPACTS.At KSS, we believe that there are big ideasin the world. Ideas that we strive toward,ideas that we internalize and explore. Webelieve that the ideas that inspire designare the same ideas that design impacts. Forthe world today, we see the following as theideas that drive our process, and drive us.With each project, we navigate a processthat unearths, expounds upon, and embedsa sense of purpose—bringing a project to lifethrough the expression of meaningful ideas.INNOVATION ENGAGEMENT WELLNESSInnovation is the Engagement is the Wellness is themodern response essential story of fulfillment of theto entrepreneurial positive change—people vast span of our needs,spirit—exploration that interact, people take from shelterrecognizes needs and action, people enrich to self-actualization.constructively exceeds the world.them.

COMPLEXITY TRANSFORMATION STEWARDSHIPComplexity offers Transformation is a Stewardship is therichness of experience— fundamental shift in expression of ourmany diverse parts knowledge, identity, or collective capacity toadding up to a whole perspective. replenish and care forthat transcends them all. resources of all kinds— with purpose, tenacity, and optimism.

ATHCEABDESETMWIACY TSOUNCUCRTEUSRSE PI SURTPOOSBE-UDIRLIVDENA COMMUNITY DESIGNING FOR CONNECTIVITY ACADEMIC SUCCESS HEALTH & WELLNESS KEY CONSIDERATIONS CO-EDUCATION & MENTORSHIP SAFETY & CONVENIENCESUSTAINABILITY EMBRACE CITY & NEIGHBORHOODS DISCOVERY INNOVATION DIVERSITY & INCLUSION COLLABORATION|4

ENGAGEMENT INNOVATION STEWARDSHIP WELLNESS TRANSFORMATION URBANIZATION COMPLEXITY Purpose-driven environmentsThe future of education is embedded in student that encourage discovery andsuccess—how a scholar navigates discovery andtransformation are to tantamount totransformation. We believe that schools are a vitalsteward in a student’s experience—it is throughthe student experience and academiceducation that we celebrate every entity’s inherentsuccess.dignity and purpose and reshape our world andourselves to become that which we never beforethought possible. In turn, learners become leaders who are constantly reimagining society as inclusive,At KSS Architects, we believe that the best way to cohesive networks of people, together navigatingnurture student success is to build a purpose-driven the wind, the calm, and everything in between.community. Communities are the connective tissue We design spaces that enact our clients’ purpose—that enrich our collective lives, fuel the soul, and embracing synergy, innovation, and opportunity topropel us forward. build community. 5|

ENGAGEMENT

ENGAGEMENT ISTHE ESSENTIAL STORYOF POSITIVE CHANGE— PEOPLE INTERACT,PEOPLE TAKE ACTION, PEOPLE ENRICH THE WORLD.

VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITYACADEMIC LEARNING COMMONSDedicated to providing an excellent learning Located at a crossroads of city and campusenvironment for its 22,000 undergraduate students, activity, the building creates connectionsthe Academic Learning Commons provides a state-of- between interior and exterior spaces. A largethe-art building for learning and teaching excellence courtyard allows indoor interactions to spillin the heart of the academic campus. The building outside on warm days. Vegetated green roofswill provide a stimulating educational atmosphere, provide garden views from the interior and helpfacilitate interaction between students and faculty, regulate indoor temperature and manage stormand support the context of historic Richmond. water. The building facade incorporates red brick masonry, cast stone, and metal detailing to tieThe building design combines formal and informal in to the city’s historic, vernacular architecture.collaborative spaces with large classrooms. To The design integrates different levels of buildingprovide an opportunity for physical and intellectual scale to transition elegantly from the small-scalecollaboration, the rooms are proportioned to give residential neighborhoods of Richmond to theinstructors room to move around and interact with larger scale of VCU campus buildings.students, and for students to interact with each other. Location: Richmond, Virginia Size: 102,000 sf Features: Center for Teaching Excellence, State-of-the-art classrooms, Lecture halls, Informal gathering spaces, Administrative and faculty offices, Outdoor courtyard Recognition: LEED Gold certification Architect-of-Record: BCWH Architects|8

“It’s an amazing facility. We feel it elevates the quality of the environmentto the quality of the education we provide.” JAMES E. HINTERLONG, DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK, VCU

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ROWAN UNIVERSITY ROHRER COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Rowan University has evolved from its 1923 the art entrepreneurial makerspace transitioning inception as a normal school to a comprehensive student business initiatives to market, and the public research university whose strong reputation Center for Business Professionalism: a situational wields extraordinary impact upon the economic space preparing students for the world of business development of the region. The Rohrer College of presentations, interviews, and the interpersonal Business, in the context of a new building, seeks relationships of the work place. to develop the entrepreneurs, business leaders, and innovators of the future by becoming South Learning environments are scaled for experiential Jersey’s center for innovative thinking, strategic learning, offering numerous breakout spaces with problem solving, and business acumen. flexible, collaborative arrangements. Targeted to achieve LEED Silver, sustainability considerations Academic programs and business development emphasize energy conservation, locally sourced are supported by key program elements—The materials, and hydrology and ecology measures in Rowan Business Center: a venue for business relation to the campus’ wetland assets. The formal innovation, joining the opportunities of the region masonry building features an elliptical glass tower with the expertise and resources of the College showcasing the manufacturing history of the region of Business. The Hub: a public café and lounge as depicted by glass artisans—at once a reflection of prompting interaction among students, faculty, the past and the promise of the future. and businesses leaders. The Hatchery: a state of Location: Glassboro, New Jersey Size: 99,000 sf new construction Features: Business center, Café, Lounge, Makerspace Program Expert: Goody Clancy| 12



LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY RICHARD & MARGOT WARCH CAMPUS CENTER Lawrence University wanted to create a place The campus center embraces Appleton’s history as for students to experience its vibrant college the heart of the papermaking industry by facing community and embrace its natural surroundings. the Fox River. Situated on a hill, the building literally By breaking down the building’s large scale into emerges from the ground. Its materials embody sections connected by a glass-enclosed Great Hall, growth, starting with poured concrete finishes at the design team created a village in which students the foundation and lower levels, locally quarried can engage the university’s community, circulating limestone wall panels at mid-level floors, and both horizontally and vertically on its interior finally to soaring glass panels to symbolize the sky. “streets” to find places to eat, study, and relax with An illuminated stair tower at the campus center’s friends. northwest corner beckons students, returning alumni, and the town of Appleton to a place of community and pride. Location: Appleton, Wisconsin Size: 110,000 sf new construction Features: Cafe Bookstore, Dining Hall and servery, Theater Meeting rooms, Multi-purpose room, Student performance space, Convenience store, Gallery, Student lounges Recognition: LEED Gold Certification, U.S. Green Building Council Associate Architect: Uihlein/Wilson Architects| 14



LAFAYETTE COLLEGE DOWNTOWN ARTS CAMPUS Seeking to bring together its Film and Media Studies Situated along Easton’s main thoroughfare, the and Theater programs while creating a welcoming new Theater Building is lifted off the floodplain gateway to Lafayette College’s campus, the City creating a suitably dramatic statement for of Easton, and Williams Arts Campus, the College Lafayette at the gateway of campus. Designed teamed up with KSS to complete two projects that with sustainability and responsible stormwater transformed the front door of its campus into a management in mind, it incorporates solar panels vibrant arts community. Together, the renovation and a green roof. Visitors pass through Lafayette’s of the Film and Media Studies Mohican Building and “arts walk” and existing sculpture plaza to enter new Theater Building provide opportunity for new the Theater Building through a stunning glass cross-department collaboration, create a welcoming vestibule. Moving up to a central lobby, students center for community engagement–enhancing town and the public find ample room for college and and gown relationships, and preserve and protect city events. The purposeful adaptive resuse of the sensitive natural environment surrounding the the Mohican Building, a previous car showroom, Bushkill Creek. provides much-needed room for faculty offices, beautiful spaces for instruction, practice, and digital resources, and strengthens the building’s flood protection. Location: Easton, Pennsylvania Program: Collaborative arts campus and integrated learning environment Size: 12,000 sf (existing), 22,000 sf (new) Features: Black box theater, Screening room, Supporting spaces, Media-rich classrooms, Faculty offices, Student lounge| 16



RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING BUILDING After Rutgers University, led by renowned building informed its sweeping glass façade design researcher Martin Yarmush, M.D., Ph.D., decided through which the entire campus can experience to become a leading institution in biomedical the activity and life powering the research facility. engineering, they needed a state-of-the-art More importantly, KSS wanted to create a space facility. Dr. Yarmush remembered years back that lightens the intense atmosphere that often when he was designing his first lab in a modest accompanies research. Instead of segregating lab basement space and KSS Architects was a small benches into individual rooms, typical at many firm just starting to get on its feet. institutions, KSS designed open lab spaces in which researchers can maintain individual work areas yet The proposed site was completely open, a noticeable interact readily with colleagues. void in the intersection between dormitories and science buildings. KSS knew the building As a lighthearted touch, the design replaces the would become a prominent landmark greeting conventional circles of the ceramic frit on glazing visitors to the campus. The enormous visibility with abstracted neurons, a reminder of the and potential impact of work occurring inside the facility’s specialized purpose. Location: Piscataway, New Jersey Size: 80,000 sf Features: Conference facilities, Classrooms, Laboratories, Faculty office, 200-seat auditorium, 80-seat classroom Recognition: Design Honor Award, AIA New Jersey| 18

The building is fantastic, open, and a wonderful place to work.Everyone comes in with a smile. DR. MARTIN YARMUSH PROFESSOR OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING, RUTGERS UNIVERSITY

KEAN UNIVERSITY KARL & HELEN BURGER GALLERY With a goal of providing opportunities for students the space together with cohesion and warmth. and faculty to appreciate and understand the The Burger Gallery’s multicultural initiative diversity of the world through art, the Karl & curates artistic works that fill the space with Helen Burger Gallery at Kean University’s Center culture—from Yoruban artifacts to abstract Latino for Academic Success needed a space that would paintings, from photography retrospectives to deliver. A transformative space for art that perspectives on global ice melt. The Burger Gallery connects cultures and peoples, KSS’s design is a microcosm of human discovery and expression, materializes transparency with clerestory windows sharing with Kean University students and faculty that bring in natural daylight. Selected floor-to- fresh perspectives and reshaping Kean students’ ceiling windows wash the space with indirect light connection with each other, and connection with perfect for viewing art, and the glossed floor pulls the world. Location: Union, New Jersey Size: 2,000 sf new construction Features: Gallery space Recognition: LEED Certification, U.S. Green Building Council, Honor Award, AIA New Jersey (Center for Academic Success)| 20



SETON HALL UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITY WELCOME CENTERLocated at the main entrance to the University, the The proposed Welcome Center is a two-story building,Welcome Center marks this strategic location with a the total square footage will be approximately 66,000building of iconic character which recognizes both its square feet. The Ground Level contains a large Eventfuture and rich heritage. Room, Lobby, Pre-function/ Gallery Space, Admissions Suite, and Building Operation Offices. Level TwoShowcasing the University; its culture, activities and includes Balcony seating for the Event Room(s),initiatives, the Welcome Center conveys its value in additional offices and work areas for the admissionsacademic excellence, catholic heritage and University suite and two meeting rooms. The Event Room,history -- generating pride in the Seton Hall Lobby, and Pre-function space are double heightcommunity at large. The Welcome Center provides spaces. The building includes a mechanical attic anda warm first impression to prospective students and an additional level below grade containing an openfamilies and acts as dedicated location for all event parking garage.activities.Location: South Orange, New JerseySize: 66,000 sf new constructionFeatures: Event rooms, Lobby/Lounge, Gallery, Admissions suite, Offices, Meeting rooms

LOUNGE, OFFICE & SUPPORT SPACES COMMUNITY INTIMATE MEET STUDY SEE + BE SEEN RELAX SERVICE HALL UP 896 SF IT CL SCHEDULER BUILDING AC AC EVENT ROOM 36 SF 112 SF MANAGER AC AC 8342 SF JAN. CL 154 SF OPEN OFFICE 32 SF DIRECTOR OF 550 SF 85 CHAIRS RECRUITMENT INFORMATION SESSIONS PRINTER 227 SF 1567 SFDN TRASH/ MENS WORK ROOM HALL 03 STAIR 3 RECYC. RESTROOM 218 SF 284 SFHAND TICKET 142 SF HALL 04 321 SF WINDOW AV CL 332 SF 57 SF JAN/ CL. INTERVIEW 3 8 72' D TAB 8 72' D TAB 8 72' D TAB 8 72' D TAB 8 72' D TAB 8 72' D TAB 8 72' D TAB 39 SF ELEV 01 TRANSFER HALL 02 217 SF 56 SF COUNSLER 353 SF PRIVATE 85 CHAIRS 85 CHAIRS 85 CHAIRS 85 CHAIRS 85 CHAIRS 85 CHAIRS 85 CHAIRS RESTROOM STAIR 2 HALL 01 ELEV 02 170 SF 260 SF 800 SF 56 SF 68 SF PARENT PANTRY3 comp. sink dish GL ice COOLER GL BEVERAGE AREA 66 SF GL prep table prep table W STORAGE/ CATERING WOMEN'S 30\"DSHTTORAGE RECEPTION RESTROOM 30\"D HT 156 SF 781 SF 1001 SF 376 SF 30\"D HT 30\"D HT INTERVIEW 1 INTERVIEW 2 ELECTRICAL 30\"D HT ROOM 30\"D HT 185 SF 188 SF 87 SF 85 CHAIRS 85 CHAIRS PNL CL 1 103 SF 85 CHAIRS PNL CL 2 AV/IT RM UP 85 CHAIRS 99 SF 147 SF PREFUNCTION/ Level 1 Legend GALLERY LOBBY 4439 SF HALLWAY EVENT ROOM BACK OF HOUSE ADMISSIONS OFFICE ADMISSIONS RECEPTION STUDENT SERVICES SUITE ADMISSIONS OPEN OFFICE ADMISSIONS INTERVIEW RM ADMISSIONS INFORMATION SESSIONS FELLOWSHIP IDENTITY EVENTS COLLEGIALITY EVENT & MULTIPURPOSE SPACES

RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY 15 WASHINGTON ARTS SPACE “15 Washington” stands 16 stories tall on displays, coffee breaks, and lunchtime food for Washington Park in Newark, New Jersey. For almost thought. Organically shaped tables and stackable 85 years the former American Insurance Building chairs enable a variety of communal and singular has been a symbol of pride and progress in the city settings. An abundance of daylight easily converts of “New Work.” Rutgers University, in keeping with to pinpoint theatrical lighting via the ceiling-hung its role as a world-class, urban, public research light grid designed to mesh with the historic university that is not just in Newark but of Newark, architecture while providing structure for lighting, is poised to carry forward the mantle of New Work, rigging, and even sculpture. by giving to the City a place for New Art—the historic yet re-defined space of the Great Hall within Rutgers University partners with the scholars, the renovated environs of “15 Washington.” artists, citizens, and students of Newark to offer a forum for artistic expression, fostering new dialogue An innovative, highly flexible arts events space, and understanding. “15 Washington” is where the Great Hall rises 30 feet to the ceiling and heritage meets innovation; where history is rich— uses expansive vision and creative modularity to and forward thinking, priceless. showcase performances and cross-curricular events from concert, dance, and theater to sculptural Location: Newark, New Jersey Size: Approx. 25,000 sf Features: Amphitheater, Flexible arts events space, Faculty lounge, Art library, Rehearsal rooms, Control booth and recording studio.| 24



RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY HAHNE & CO. BUILDING ADAPTIVE REUSE The adaptive reuse of portions of the vacated partnerships are numerous, including charter schools, Hahne & Co. department store provides Rutgers county and city colleges, boys and girls clubs, the city University with a unique, mission-driven opportunity museum, and local professional artists. Ultimately, to strengthen its relationship with the community the center will become a beacon of diversity, of Newark and the State of New Jersey. The drawing together people of all ages, ethnicities, and development of this historic landmark as a center for occupations—utilizing the Arts as a common bond. the creation, exhibition, and conversation of Arts and Communications enhances the city’s “Arts Triangle”— For Rutgers University, as an anchor institution the downtown area under development to reignite in Newark, it is through the thoughtfully crafted the vibrancy of Newark’s city core. relationship between architecture and community that the fabric of its urban neighborhood will be Rutgers is developing approximately 38,594 sf of the strengthened and revitalized. A great place, such as 441,000 sf building as a distinctive, community-based the renovated and re-purposed Hahne & Co. Building, educational program that includes an art incubator, will not only bring a community of students and community media center, portrait studio, design neighbors together, but inspire it to do great things. consortium, and letterpress studio. Community4COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER 3ARTS INCUBATOR PORTRAIT STUDIOS DESIGN CONSORTIUM 2LECTURE Location: Newark, New Jersey Size: Approx. 38,594 sf Features: Art incubator, Community media center, Portrait studio, Design consortium, and Letterpress studio.| 26



INNOVATION

INNOVATION IS THE MODERN RESPONSE TO THE ENTREPRENEURIALSPIRIT—EXPLORATION THAT RECOGNIZES NEEDS & CONSTRUCTIVELY FULFILLS THEM.

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA PENNOVATION CENTER Pennovation Works—the 23 acre former DuPont and a “bleacher” to facilitate the many pitches that industrial site along the Schuylkill River, in the start-up companies typically present. This central up-and-coming neighborhood of Grays Ferry, is the space, above all else, is an area of intersections— next generation of Philadelphia and global innovation. where disciplines, theories, and brilliant ideas overlap Pennovation Center, a brick and mortar factory and collide in a spectacular array of what-if, outside- relic, is the site’s anchor building and will become an the-box, next-big-thing thinking, doing, and “we’re iconic landmark for Penn. The Pennovation Center’s going to need more space” happening. program will enable entrepreneurs, researchers, and industry partners to translate inventiveness into KSS, as the executive architect, has facilitated viable ventures in a dynamic environment. a thoughtful process through creativity, careful management, and thorough oversight in all aspects Co-working space has been amalgamated and of the team’s work. The Pennovation Center is centralized to connect offices, labs, and shared the cutting edge home for the next generation of resources—allowing engineers to break out from their entrepreneurship in the region and its design is both laboratory space and work cross-curricular with other an inspiration and a testament to the University’s lessees. In addition to co-working desk space, the mission of fostering innovation by creating vital, common area includes meeting rooms, social space, vibrant, and prolific intersections. Location: Philadelphia, PA Size: 65,000 sf addition and renovation Features: Business Incubator, Offices, Wet and dry labs, Co-working desk spaces, Studio spaces, Meeting rooms, Central presentation “bleacher,” Social spaces Design Architect: Hollwich Kushner Recognition: CREW Philadelphia Community Impact Award, 2016, Curbed Philadelphia Best Adaptive Reuse Project, 2016, Architect’s Newspaper Best Adaptive Reuse, Honorable Mention, 2016| 30



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FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON UNIVERSITYDOERFLER INNOVATION CENTERTo prepare students for the rapidly changing catalysts. The Doerfler Innovation Center is abusiness/interdisciplinary environment and foundational project in this effort to revolutionizeemerging global trends, in which innovation and the learning environment as one where activeentrepreneurship play an increasingly important learning, project-based learning, and therole, FDU requires a visible identifiable space entrepreneurial spirit is alive and activated.for proof-of-concept work, business incubation,and collaboration opportunities for FDU faculty The Doerfler Innovation Center will transform theand students. For FDU, the key to a sustainable lower floor of the Monninger Center for Learningfuture is to develop the ability of students—our and Research on FDU’s Florham Campus into anfuture citizens and leaders—to become holistic, exciting and engaging space:interdisciplinary problem solvers, finding creative - A space that supports group projects as well asways to simultaneously create greater social, full-class discussion and individual workenvironmental, and economic prosperity. - Movable furniture with a variety of reconfigurable seating & table typesTaking an integrated approach to innovation, - A motivating environment with a welcomingFairleigh Dickinson University is focused on ambience & reconfigurable settingsproviding a campus full of innovation pockets— - A transparent, fun, colorful space that includes amakerspaces, entrepreneurship and innovation variety of sub-environmentscenters, places for student engagement and idea - Learning on displayLocation: Madison, NJSize: 1,100 sfFeatures: Write-on surfaces, Lounge areas, Study pods, Technology-rich tools, Coffee bar



VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR ENGINEERING EDUCATION AND RESEARCH LAB In 2009, KSS Architects completed a master engineering concepts for real world problems. The plan for the renovation and expansion of resulting design facilitates this concept using a Villanova University’s 88,400-square-foot flexible systems furniture approach configured to College of Engineering Education and Research allow the instructor to provide real-time support (CEER) Building located on at the university’s to multiple student groups simultaneously. To main campus. One of the important strategic further facilitate flexible group work, the space also initiatives of the master plan was to improve the integrates a soft seating area for group discussion. overall learning environment at CEER through the introduction of active learning spaces. The The space has been wildly successful at improving renovation of 105 into a projects lab was the first student understanding and supporting College of project to come out of this initiative. Engineering fundraising. Students actively apply their knowledge of engineering concepts to real The College of Engineering’s plan for the space engineering problems furnished by outside private was to create a space where students could industries that provide an honorarium to support work in project groups of four to six students activities at the lab. around a single large computer screen to develop Location: Villanova, PA Size: 1,750 sf renovations Features: Central instructor area with mobile instructor station, Laptop interconnectivity portal for student collaboration| 36



UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA WHARTON VENTURE LAB STUDIOS FEASIBILITY STUDY Built in 1911 as a house of worship originally for the First create incubator and co-working spaces for student Church of Christ Scientist, the Rotunda building was entrepreneurs. Highlighting the identity and unique designed by Carrere and Hastings, a New York firm that heritage of the Rotunda, the design weaves together set the tone for American classicism in the twentieth venture pods, formal offices, a makerspace, café, and century. colloquium event space in an elegant grouping that gravitates programming at the edges of great spaces Acquired by the University of Pennsylvania in 1997 while vertical wells of air and glass maintain the yet underutilized today, the Rotunda is envisioned transparency and visibility of the Rotunda’s existing as a venue for the renowned Wharton School of architecture. Business’s new Launch Lab Studios. KSS’s design solutions transform the Rotunda into a striking and History and vision. Tradition and innovation. Inquiry impressive venue at the intersection of learning and and enterprise. The Rotunda will transform the way commerce. Respecting the volume of the sanctuary, learning, commerce, and community intersect at the project design preserves a vastness of space UPenn’s Wharton School of Business by providing which allows visibility and engagement in the dome. an inviting space for students and entrepreneurs to The design lightly touches the existing structure to engage and innovate. Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Features: Colloquium Hall, Meeting spaces, Lounges, Offices, Rental Bays, Study Space| 38

WALNUT STREET PLAZA,SANCTUARY, CHOIR & BASILICAL LEVELS A conceptual massing diagram demonstrates the significant scope of the project located below grade and the existing sanctuary —preserving the symmetrical presence of the Rotunda to the city and neighborhood. UNDERGROUND LEVEL

THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION SERVICES & TECHNOLOGY Thomas Jefferson University is blazing its path to KSS, melding input from the Jefferson IS&T team the future by creating a dedicated and customized and Epic Consultancy, came decision-ready to each space for its new Electronic Health Records Team— meeting, identifying efficiencies and streamlining yet to be hired, but already setting the tone for processes. The resulting designs and specifications the University’s technological advancement via are astute yet agile—a combination of multi- innovation and functionality, collaboration and disciplinary, open team areas and quiet, more creativity. The 10,000 sf space in Philadelphia is personal spaces. A fluid, open floor plan that also designed to accommodate multiple user groups and affords privacy. Specific program elements include a accomplish many operational goals at once. Above all variety of conference and training rooms as well as else, it must attract and retain the right personnel to huddle pods, hotel stations, a genius bar and café. staff the department—becoming a workplace of both Broad brush strokes paint a flexible, expressive work comfort and inspiration. Driving the project ahead? space, awash in natural light, generating a tangible The ambitious seven-month time frame. sense of modern thought and deed to complement the department’s historic surroundings. Location: Philadelphia, PA Size: 10,000 sf consolidation and expansion Features: Administrative offices, Open work stations, Executive office suites, Collaborative spaces| 40



WELLNESS

WELLNESS IS THE FULFILLMENT OF THE VAST SPAN OF OURNEEDS—FROM AIR, WATER, AND FOOD TO ESTEEM, BELONGING, AND SELF- ACTUALIZATION.

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WHERE NATUREAND NURTURE GOHAND IN HANDCASE STUDY: GOTTESMANRTW ACADEMYGottesman RTW Academy (GRTWA) was foundedin 1967 and serves approximately 225 children fromearly childhood education through eighth grade. Toachieve the school’s mission of academic excellenceand nurturing students in an environment infusedwith the thoughtfulness & richness of Jewish life,KSS designed the new 48,000 sf educational facilitywith emphasis on connectivity with the environment,sustainability, community, Jewish culture, andflexibility in dynamic learning environments.Emerging from the highest point on the hill top, thenew school rises from the glacier-formed bedrockbelow. The exterior concrete alludes to the stonewalls of Jerusalem, while vertical wooden slatsfilter light through the common space, echoing thesurrounding landscape of mature trees - carefullypreserved during construction. 60-75% of energyconsumed by GRTWA is provided by a rooftop solarphotovoltaic system and tracked by a display near thescience center. A kosher kitchen provides consciouseating programs and onsite opportunities forreligious and religious programs. A vegetable gardenharmonizes farm-to-table practice and ceremonialJudaic herbs, embodying GRTWA’s gracefulcombination of spiritual and educational growth.

EDUCATIONALLY INNOVATIVE At the heart of this project is an intimate understanding of how Gottesman RTW Academy infuses learning, nature, and community with the Jewish faith: • Cream-colored cement panels clad the exterior in an aesthetic that emulates Israel’s Western Wall—the school has even the same number of courses as the Western Wall does at its highest point. The color of the façade was matched to on-site rock outcroppings. • Included in the exterior facade of the gym is a stone that emulates the Western Stone, the monolithic mass that is the largest stone in the Western Wall. Historically one of the largest building blocks in the world, the Western Stone is one of the heaviest objects ever lifted by people without powered machinery—evoking it at the base of the gymnasium wall is a nod to both perspiration and inspiration. • Twelve small and humble square punch windows are scattered throughout the project, reflecting the twelve tribes of Israel.| 46