Structural Engineering for Adaptive Residential Reuse of Social Center

AFTER: ALICIAN SENIOR APARTMENTS

Alician Senior Apartments

Kramer Marks Architects

Upper Darby, Pennsylvania

Assessment of a 1950s Social Center for re-use as apartments. Extensive documentation and evaluation of the existing clear-span steel and concrete structure required for addition of new level.  New construction included the added wood-framed floor and roof, infill of the original mezzanine level and full height elevator core.  In addition to structural engineering, the project included preparation of drawings, specifications, submittal reviews and construction oversight.

Originally utilized by the adjacent school as a gymnasium and hall, St. Alice’s was a popular gathering place for teens and young adults for dancing, roller skating, bingo and big band nights.  Located in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, this project involved the development of 53 units of affordable, senior housing.  The project features the adaptive reuse and rehabilitation of the original ground floor and original second floor. The original first floor mezzanine overlooking the gymnasium was filled in to complete the level.  The original roof structure was reinforced and repurposed to become the new fifth floor, while adding a new roof structure.

BEFORE: St. Alice's