BLT Architects (BLTa), a Philadelphia-based architectural and interior design firm, announced it has been commissioned to begin work on Drexel University's Dornsife Center. The Dornsife Center was made possible by a generous $10 million gift by Dana and David Dornsife and will be located on a 1.3-acre site at 35th and Spring Garden streets.
The Dornsife Center will be a resource hub to share expertise and knowledge with the West Philadelphia community. The center will offer a welcoming environment for local children, senior citizens, and families to interact with technology. The current site of the Dornsife Center is home to three existing buildings — an elementary school and two administrative buildings that have sat dormant for a number of years. These buildings will be renovated by BLTa to provide a range of flexible spaces that will accommodate small group meetings and workshops, as well as larger gatherings and hands-on exhibits.
“We are excited to begin renovations on Drexel's newest outreach efforts in West Philadelphia," said Michael L. Prifti, FAIA, Managing Principal at BLTa. "This project is especially fulfilling as not only will we be restoring life to a site that has sat vacant for years, but the newly outfitted buildings will serve a higher purpose of providing a harbor of learning for the local community. BLTa has a deep history of renovating existing structures and new construction in higher education settings, and we are looking forward to bringing our expertise to the Dornsife project." +
Related Stories
Digital Twin | May 24, 2021
Digital twin’s value propositions for the built environment, explained
Ernst & Young’s white paper makes its cases for the technology’s myriad benefits.
University Buildings | May 17, 2021
Carolina Gaming Arena completes at UNC Chapel Hill
Clark Nexsen designed the project.
Wood | May 14, 2021
What's next for mass timber design?
An architect who has worked on some of the nation's largest and most significant mass timber construction projects shares his thoughts on the latest design trends and innovations in mass timber.
University Buildings | May 13, 2021
Cedarville University's new dining facility includes a 300-seat Chick-fil-A
DesignGroup designed the project.
University Buildings | May 13, 2021
Education Building II at UC Riverside receives final approval
Hensel Phelps + CO Architects will be the design-build team for the project.
Healthcare Facilities | May 5, 2021
HOK to design new Waterloo Eye Institute
The project is being designed for The University of Waterloo’s School of Optometry & Vision Science.
University Buildings | May 4, 2021
UMass Medical School’s new Education and Research Building
ZGF and ARC/Architectural Resources Cambridge are designing the project.
University Buildings | Apr 29, 2021
Perkins&Will to design new gateway building for the University of British Columbia
The building will transform the arrival experience for students, staff, and visitors.
University Buildings | Apr 29, 2021
The Weekly Show, April 29, 2021: COVID-19's impact on campus planning, and bird management strategies
This week on The Weekly show, BD+C Senior Editor John Caulfield interviews a duo of industry experts on 1) how campus planning has changed during the pandemic and 2) managing bird infestations on construction sites and completed buildings.
University Buildings | Apr 19, 2021
Duke University’s Wilkinson Building completes
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson designed the project.
