The adaptive reuse of the Bulletin Building transformed an architecturally and culturally significant 1955 structure into a contemporary life science building in Philadelphia. The project gives a fresh identity to the Bulletin while preserving Howe’s original design intent.
Glazed masonry along with stainless steel detailing and windows were restored throughout the building, and a carefully proportioned facade was installed on the building’s eastern side. The new high-performance facade, conceived as a single plane spanning the entire elevation in the spirit of Howe’s original composition, is bold on the urban scale while sensitive to the original architecture. A red aluminum frame hovers in front of the glass, providing shade and drawing façade elements together as a singular gesture. The juxtaposition of new and old establishes a conversation across time and sets a paradigm for renovation of mid-century structures.
High performance glazing incorporates ceramic frit to reduce solar heat gain and make the facade visible to birds. The building’s history as a prominent news source of the print era is recalled through a composition of letters in typefaces used by the Bulletin paper. A new rooftop sign of 12-foot-tall, free-standing stainless-steel letters recalls the bold signage of Howe’s work, while announcing Schuylkill Yards as a vital new innovation district in Philadelphia. The renovated Bulletin Building, along with the adjacent Drexel Square park (replacing a surface parking lot), form a dynamic centerpiece for the Schuylkill Yards development and a memorable gateway to University City.