Design Profile: Harrowgate Dye Works

In this adaptive reuse project, the design team focused on:  

• Preserving the architectural expression  

• Organizing the dimensionality of the space.  

• Capturing the embodied energy  

Harrowgate is a Philadelphia neighborhood full of abandoned and deteriorating industrial buildings surrounded by traditional row homes. The building was originally built in 1920 for the L.B. Luithlen Dye Works and nearly 100 years later, the building was brought back including the original brickwork detailing. The creation of the “new” trinity design allowed for the cupola to be used as an office/study. The complex contains 39 units and are a combination of industrial and modern styles.  

This project represented a significant opportunity to save thousands of kilograms of “carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). Tally software was used to document the amount of CO2e that was saved by renovating the structure instead of demolishing it. A comparison of new construction versus preserving the building was compared to international benchmarks. Local artist Alloyius Mcilwaine was brought on to create a vibrant, Philadelphia street-culture inspired mural to enhance the shared community space. The 150-foot wall took 10 days to paint and features vignette portraits of Philadelphia icons in art and music. 

Project: Harrowgate Dye Works  

Location: Philadelphia, PA    

Client: Harrowgate Dye Works 

Project Size: 34,362 sf  

Project Team: 

Ian Smith Design Group LLC (Architect)  

Doubleday Design (Civil Engineer)   

Menna Engineers & Associates (Structural Engineer)   

Denton (MEP Engineer)   

Stronghold Development and Construction (General Contractor) 

Photos:

TODD MASON, HALKIN MASON PHOTOGRAPHY (exterior)

BANFE STUDIOS (interior)