South Philadelphia Community Health and Literacy Center: Construction Update, 4/15/16
April 15th, 2016
Throughout construction of the South Philadelphia Community Health and Literacy Center, we’ll be posting construction photos and updates. Here’s where we’re headed: http://www.vsba.com/projects/community-health-and-literacy-center/. And here’s where we are so far:
South Philadelphia Community Health and Literacy Center: Construction Update, 3/25/16
March 25th, 2016
Throughout construction of the South Philadelphia Community Health and Literacy Center, we’ll be posting construction photos and updates. Here’s where we’re headed: http://www.vsba.com/projects/community-health-and-literacy-center/. And here’s where we are so far:
View from Broad and Morris Streets
View from Broad and Castle Streets
Dan Discusses Philly’s Urban Grid
March 22nd, 2016
Here’s an interesting article on Philadelphia’s grid layout in today’s Guardian: “Story of cities #7: Philadelphia grid marks birth of America’s urban dream.”
VSBA president and principal Dan McCoubrey talks about the grid system’s virtues and flexibility.
Urbanland Covers CHOP Project
March 1st, 2016
Urbanaland — the magazine of the Urban Land Institute — has published a great article on our work for CHOP and the City of Philadelphia!
Bob and Denise win the Gold Medal!
December 3rd, 2015
Tremendous congratulations to Denise Scott Brown and Robert Venturi for winning the 2016 AIA Gold Medal!
Bob and Denise are the first partnership to ever win the prize, and Denise is the first living woman to receive the award.
Here’s the AIA’s official press release and articles in Architectural Record, Architect Magazine, and Dezeen.
Image by Frank Hanswijk
In The News: VSBA’s South Philadelphia Community Health and Literacy Center
November 12th, 2015
VSBA’s South Philadelphia Community Health and Literacy Center is getting a lot of press lately!:
Here’s a study and review of project, just released by the Build Healthy Places Network: http://buildhealthyplaces.org/community-health-and-literacy-center-south-philadelphia-pa
And from the same site, here’s an article highlighting the collaboration between CHOP and the City of Philadelphia: http://www.buildhealthyplaces.org/collaborate-easier-said-than-done-leaders-on-how-they-made-it-happen/
South Philadelphia Community Health and Literacy Center: Construction Update, 11/6/15
November 6th, 2015
Throughout construction of the South Philadelphia Community Health and Literacy Center, we’ll be posting construction photos and updates. Here’s where we’re headed: http://www.vsba.com/projects/community-health-and-literacy-center/. And here’s where we are so far:
Curtainwall installation is underway along Broad Street. Brick is also going up fast!
VSBA @ Design on the Delaware
November 4th, 2015
As part of the AIA Philadelphia’s Design on the Delaware, Dan McCoubrey and Seth Cohen gave a tour of our South Philadelphia Community Health and Literacy Center:
Image courtesy of Brooks E. Brooks and Associates.
Vanna Venturi House Is Timeless!
November 2nd, 2015
Congratulations to the Vanna Venturi House for winning the AIA Pennsylvania’s 50 YEAR / 2015 TIMELESS AWARD!
Community Health and Literacy Center: Construction Update, 8/4/15
August 4th, 2015
Throughout construction of the Community Health and Literacy Center, we’ll be posting construction photos and updates. Here’s where we’re headed: http://www.vsba.com/projects/community-health-and-literacy-center/. And here’s where we are so far:
A view from the northeast corner of Broad and Morris Streets
The roof superstructure is complete — and offers a great view of Center City
A view from the southeast corner of Broad and Castle Streets
Bob Venturi Turns 90!
June 25th, 2015
Happy 90th birthday to Bob Venturi! Viva Bob!
Photo by Ingrid von Kruse
Introducing David Hatton
May 11th, 2015
VSBA welcomes our new partner, David Hatton, AIA, NCARB. While participating in a range of VSBA’s projects, David will be leading our marketing and business development.
In addition to campus master planning and the design of classroom and science buildings, David specializes in the creation of campus centers and student life buildings. At colleges and universities across the country, he has collaborated with academic administrators, teachers, staff, and students to understand their needs and shape their educational environments.
David has led the planning and design of over 50 campus and dining center projects. His clients have included Virginia Tech, Penn State, the University of North Carolina, University of Wisconsin, the University of Iowa, the University of Mary Washington, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, the Community College of Philadelphia, and many other schools.
David is also experienced with the planning and design of student residences, for which his clients have included Saint Joseph’s University, Rowan University, East Carolina University, Marist College, and many SUNY campuses.
David frequently publishes and speaks at national conferences, sharing his experience in design for academic campuses.
“An innovation designed to make whole families healthier…”
April 23rd, 2015
6ABC has done this great feature on the Community Health and Literacy Center for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and City of Philadelphia. Check it out!:
Community Health and Literacy Center: Construction Update, 4/9/15
April 9th, 2015
Throughout construction of the Community Health and Literacy Center, we’ll be posting construction photos and updates. Here’s where we’re headed: http://www.vsba.com/projects/community-health-and-literacy-center/. And here’s where we are so far:
Drilling piles in the basement area
Digging trenches for concrete foundation
Steel reinforcement for concrete footings
Hidden History
April 3rd, 2015
“The James Hamilton Windrim-designed Southern Home For Destitute Children, 1896. Courtesy of Historical Images of Philadelphia: the Print and Picture Collection at The Free Library of Philadelphia”
“The Community Health and Literacy Center is slated to open in December of this year at Broad and Morris on the former site of the Southern Home for Destitute Children orphanage. The 96,000 square foot, $42.5 million center, designed by VSBA, LLCArchitects and Planners, is a partnership between the Children’s Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the City of Philadelphia….”
Hidden City Philadelphia has a great article about our work and the fascinating history of the site: http://hiddencityphila.org/2015/04/with-new-center-coming-remembering-the-southern-home-for-destitute-children/
More info on our project is available at http://www.vsba.com/projects/community-health-and-literacy-center/
President Dan McCoubrey — FAIA!
February 6th, 2015
CONGRATULATIONS to president and principal Dan McCoubrey — a 2015 Fellow of the AIA!
Community Health & Literacy Center: Construction Update (1/7/15)
January 7th, 2015
Throughout construction of the Community Health and Literacy Center, we’ll be posting construction photos and updates. Here’s where we’re headed: http://www.vsba.com/projects/community-health-and-literacy-center. And here’s where we are so far:
Earthwork is underway
Augercast pile installation is ongoing
Stormwater detention basin is being installed
Vote Lenfest Hall for Philly’s Phinest!
December 18th, 2014
The AIA Philadelphia is asking you to vote for your favorite buildings in the city. We’d be very grateful if you would consider voting for VSBA’s Lenfest Hall at the Curtis Institute of Music!
Before January 9, please email Elizabeth Paul, Director of Communications, at to say:
Dear Ms. Paul,
I’d like to vote for the Curtis Institute of Music’s Lenfest Hall as my favorite Philly building!
Projects that receive enough votes will be featured in a promo video for the 2016 AIA National Convention in Philadelphia. For more information on voting, see: http://aiaphiladelphia.org/news/whats-your-favorite-philly-building-or-structure.
And for information on the building, check out VSBA.com’s project page: http://www.vsba.com/projects/curtis-institute-of-music-lenfest-hall/
Thank you so much for your help and support!
Community Health and Literacy Center: Construction Update, 11/25/14
November 25th, 2014
Throughout construction of the Community Health and Literacy Center, we’ll be posting construction photos and updates.
Here’s where we’re headed: http://www.vsba.com/projects/community-health-and-literacy-center/
And here’s where we are so far. This is demolition of the existing health center on the site.
