Orange Crush
2022 / Philadelphia PA
FITTING IN
The plan and entry experience for this 49-unit mixed-use multifamily were inspired by the site’s odd geometry and adjacent edges. Sandwiched between a sunken railroad right-of-way, a historic brick industrial building, and a new neighborhood school, the building’s context contributed to its character. Its plan infills the site with a simple rectilinear volume aligned to the street and a carved, folded edge painted a vibrant orange hue facing its odd-shaped neighbor to the north.
FRESH CUT
Rather than situate the building’s lobby in a typical street-facing position, residents are invited down a playfully shaped side alley lined on one side by the historic exterior brick wall of the adjacent building and on the other by the new building’s colorful inner facade. A small commercial space holds the building’s street edge at the open corner, and a narrow path leads residents to a hidden garden facing the overgrown railway bed, generating an entry experience deeply rooted in place.
OUTDOOR LIVING
The building’s exterior entry and ground-floor amenities are complemented by a landscaped rooftop deck with built-in benches, planters and a shared kitchen.
ROOMS WITH A VIEW
Situated at the top of a hill, the building rises above its immediate neighbors on all sides, offering skyline views to the south and park views to the north. All units feature floor-to-ceiling vertical windows providing ample natural light and air, and those facing south and east include private balconies.
A LOT FOR A LITTLE
The building’s rectilinear facades are clad in a gridded pattern of corrugated metal, with panels of alternating widths and two tones of gray combining to create surprising variety with minimal investment. Inset balconies and the building’s carved north side are painted orange, adding depth to the composition, and creating the impression that the building’s metallic skin has been cut to reveal its interior.
