Chesterbrook Academy at Drexel University

Design Team
James D Kavanagh, AIA (CEO/Managing Partner)

Chesterbrook Academy is a private education company committed to designing urban early childhood centers; this project is in center city Philadelphia, specifically the Drexel University campus. Designing an educational program in a residential mid-rise tower created many challenges. The shape and dimensions of the available space restricted optimal rectangular classroom forms, but creativity enabled adaptive forms to meet the educational requirements.

Newly converted space did not allow for exterior classroom windows; thus, corridors were extended to capture natural lighting and provide daylight as deep into the building as possible. With the available spatial footprint, the school had to be situated on two floors with an interconnecting stair and dedicated elevator. The youngest students were placed on the first floor for easy access to exterior play areas and for emergency egress to transport these students in wagons.

An exterior playground area is partially installed over the lower-level parking garage; a newly graded soil area drains to a bioswale (wetland). The play area for the youngest students is partially covered by the building, which protects them from sun and rain.

Additional Information

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