101 South Chester Road, Curtain Wall Replacement

Design team
Keast & Hood Company, Burns Engineering, Roof Systems Consulting, Metropolitan Acoustics

Constructed in the 1960s, 101 South Chester Road is a four-story private office building that Swarthmore College acquired in 2013. The building retained many of its original mid-20th-century modern elements, including a single-glazed curtain wall system. However, the existing curtain wall no longer met today’s standards for energy efficiency, thermal performance or aesthetic appeal. Updating the exterior of the building, which is situated prominently on campus, provided an excellent opportunity to enhance its functionality and Swarthmore’s institutional image.

The resulting system features double-glazed curtain walls equipped with low-emissivity (low-e) coatings, substantially improving the building’s thermal insulation and reducing energy consumption. To enhance occupant comfort and mitigate solar heat gain, projecting sunshades are integrated on the southwest-facing facade, strategically blocking harsh afternoon sunlight without sacrificing daylight.

A standout feature of the design is the custom graphic pattern applied to the spandrel panels. This pattern draws inspiration from the chemical composition of garnet, which adds a subtle yet meaningful connection to the regional geology and heritage. The pattern is most prominently showcased at the building’s stairwell, where the graphic is applied directly to the vision glass.

Advanced technologies such as 3D laser scanning and thermal imaging allowed for precise documentation and modeling of the existing conditions. This comprehensive approach enabled coordinated demolition and installation phases, minimizing disruption and ensuring a smooth transition to the modern glass façade.

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