VSBA rehabilitated the landmark Guild House, one of Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates’ earliest built works, designed nearly 45 years prior as housing for the elderly.
While Guild House was originally built for wheelchair access, we modified five apartments to meet current accessibility requirements and we equipped two units for hearing and visually impaired residents. On the first floor we located a common accessible laundry room. New amenities include offices for a social worker and visiting care providers and a Wellness Room with exercise equipment, ping pong and pool tables, a large screen TV, and interactive fitness video games.
Our rehabilitation provided new systems throughout for heating and cooling, automatic sprinklers, fire alarm, and emergency lighting; a new security call system to the manager’s office and front door; a new emergency notification system with ADA compliant pull-cord devices in all units; electrical upgrades such as new digital accessibility wiring and devices for telephone, Internet, and TV access for all apartments; and external cameras.
Exterior repairs included replacement of worn original aluminum windows with new units — including insulated low-emittance glazing for improved thermal performance — replacement of damaged bricks, and the addition of horizontal control joints at relieving angles. Exterior paint colors for balconies and air conditioner covers were restored to analogous brick colors. The iconic “GUILD HOUSE” sign was restored to its original font and color scheme.