a historic 1850s masonry building Turned into a modern art and education center
Woodmere Art Museum provides a unique museum experience centering on the art and artists of Philadelphia. In 2021, the Museum acquired Frances M. Maguire Hall (formerly Saint Michael’s Hall), named after Frannie Maguire, artist, philanthropist, and long-serving trustee of Woodmere. The 1850s three-story historic masonry building was renovated to become an art and education center that includes hands-on children’s art and education studio, increased public spaces, storage space, and small kitchen.
Design scope included a full upgrade of mechanical heating, cooling, and ventilation systems, full upgrade of electrical power, lighting, fire alarm, plumbing systems, and new sprinkler system. Creative design was used for systems placement to maintain the integrity of the historic building. Ductwork, refrigerant piping, and plumbing line routing was limited to specific areas due to minimum ceiling space and no shafts for vertical risers. To meet building heating and cooling requirements, 33 assorted vertical air-handling units were hung on the walls and ceilings while electric radiation, air curtain, and unit heaters were used for supplemental heating.
