Residential areas are clearly separated from the classroom/community space at rear, with vertical circulation both inboard and outboard of the existing footprint. Accessibility is addressed at the west side entrance.

A common thread on both the second and third floors includes the residential dorm rooms, guest suite, a large amount of shared flexible space, views into the solar chimney, and dual means of vertical circulation.

Two residential dorm rooms and a Resident Assistant occupy the third floor, as well as the indoor/outdoor room with access to a vegetated roof garden.

Usage delineation breaching both the existing houses and the new construction has allowed for a more fluid balance between old and new, and effectively, a more efficient overall building program.

Drexel Smart House is located at 3425 Race Street, in the heart of Powelton Village and at the edge of Drexel’s campus. The newly renovated building will serve as a link between campus and the community.

The new addition incorporates operable glazing systems and a three-story solar chimney. Both serve as important contributors to passive ventilation.

The facade will undergo masonry restoration, and the porch will be restored in its entirely to revitalize the building’s historical presence on Race Street.

Integration of site and building accessibility will be addressed on the west side, as well as the restoration of damaged masonry and incorporation of a rain screen breathable wall system at the new addition.

The section demonstrates how multiple program elements interact with each other. The fully accessible vestibule entry feeds to both the classroom and the residential living space. Vertical circulation lies against and passes through existing bearing walls, terminating in a skylight at roof level. The solar chimney serves as an anchor on the rear end of the addition, and the basement functions purely as mechanical and storage space.

Wall sections begin a dialogue of utilizing both existing and new conditions for their sustainable attributes. Incorporation of the house’s existing thermal mass qualities, passive ventilation, high efficiency glazing systems, complex roof coatings, biomass air filtration and green roof applications, as well as rain water retention are all aspects of the overall design.

The new stair that passes through the existing bearing wall is shown with the possibility of incorporating biomass air filtration.

A portion of the first floor serves as communal space for testing technologies developed at Drexel, such as the large multi-touch screen shown here.

Flexible space exists at several levels, allowing students to collaborate freely in a modular setting.

Flexible space exists at several levels, allowing students to collaborate freely in a modular setting.

Here, the third floor addition provides quality light and fresh air as well as outdoor access without privatizing the rear yard.

The typical dorm room incorporates as much flexible and modular furnishing as possible, making this a viable setting for residential living as trends continue to evolve.