Drexel Smart House will transform a late 19th century Powelton Village residence into a cutting edge and sustainable platform for design and technology. With a design focus on energy, environment, interaction, health, and lifestyle, the house includes quarters for eight students, a residential assistant, and a guest. The new rear addition will house a classroom for university use and community outreach, flexible space above, and a third floor indoor/outdoor room complete with accessible green roof.
On the exterior, the facade will undergo masonry restoration and a new porch, roof, and front steps will be installed to further restore the building’s historic presence. Site work and building accessibility will be addressed at the west side. There, the new rear wing adds a rain screen breathable wall system into the existing palette of stone, brick, and wood materials. The north side boasts an homage to passive ventilation in a new three-story solar chimney and operable glazing systems.
Drexel Smart House strives to contribute to Powelton Village’s sustainability and longevity by increasing environmental awareness and action. Smart House will showcase the idea that rehabilitation and adaptive reuse have great potential in the area. Enabling residents and researchers to collaborate in a multi-disciplinary manner will continue to encourage innovation in engineering, architecture, design and business.
On the exterior, the facade will undergo masonry restoration and a new porch, roof, and front steps will be installed to further restore the building’s historic presence. Site work and building accessibility will be addressed at the west side. There, the new rear wing adds a rain screen breathable wall system into the existing palette of stone, brick, and wood materials. The north side boasts an homage to passive ventilation in a new three-story solar chimney and operable glazing systems.
Drexel Smart House strives to contribute to Powelton Village’s sustainability and longevity by increasing environmental awareness and action. Smart House will showcase the idea that rehabilitation and adaptive reuse have great potential in the area. Enabling residents and researchers to collaborate in a multi-disciplinary manner will continue to encourage innovation in engineering, architecture, design and business.
Drexel Smart House from Drexel Smart House on Vimeo.
To support the Drexel Smart House renovation, please consider making a small tax-deductible donation online of $100 or more.
If you would like to see tentative plans for the house, please visit our House Plans page.
Architecture
Aleksandra Wolchasty
Darby Kline
Kara Haggerty
Interior Design
Carly Bassett
Oriel Poole
Engineering
Liam Hendricken
Ray Panchari
Digital Media
Corinne DeOrsay
The Drexel Smart House is an official student organization at Drexel University in Philadelphia. Please email for inquiries.