A Fishtown lighthouse makes the case for investing in good design

With only 18 feet at the front of the lot, 10 feet at the back, and existing buildings on either side, the mixed-use project site at 17 W. Girard in Philadelphia would have been a challenge in and of itself—but that’s not all Gnome Architects was up against. Building code restrictions limited the building to three stories, too. And yet, none of this stopped them. Here’s how they got creative to maximize square footage and create a landmark design.

Overcoming the obstacles

Although multiple architects told the builder and developer, GRIT Construction, that the site limitations and zoning restrictions meant it would only be possible to create two residential units above a ground-floor commercial space, the project actually has four residential units. To make this happen, Gnome created a design that soars 55’ into the sky but still sticks to the three-story rule. The trick? Mezzanines! Adding an intermediate level to each story created a lofted sleeping space that makes good use of the 18 feet of space between the floor and ceiling.

The height of each floor created a major opportunity to let in daylight and create a distinctive facade. Because the proximity of the neighboring buildings made it impossible to add windows along the sides and because the new building is so deep, each residential unit is lit from a single wall, so the monumental sizing is quite functional. At the same time, the windows add significant design appeal. Since the building stands at an intersection that’s an entrance to the distinctive Fishtown neighborhood, it’s extra memorable. Both the functionality of the daylighting scheme and the form of the facade contributed to the success of the building.

Designing a landmark

The monumental oval-shaped windows drench the units in sunlight during the day, and beam at night, creating a “lighthouse effect,” as Derek Spencer, founder and principal at Gnome, described it. When he first sat down to create a preliminary design, he “started with basic rectangles as placeholders for windows, but the idea of rounding and connecting them came about naturally through sketching.”

Although this is where he started, it wasn’t the first design he showed the client, Sean Pincus, owner of GRIT Construction and developer of the project. It was only after Pincus had rejected several designs that Spencer showed him the original sketch. The “Willy Wonka-esque” vibes immediately struck Pincus as fitting with his vision for a building that matched the vibrant, artsy energy of the neighborhood.

Still, Spencer was skeptical the project could be achieved until Pincus confirmed the budget for the windows was available. Pincus had experience working with Andersen Windows and knew the E-series product line, an aluminum-clad wood window, would be the right choice for this project. Its extruded aluminum cladding allows for the flexibility needed to create such uniquely shaped windows while the finish strikes the right contemporary chord.

Building it right

Landing on a design was one thing, building the project was another. Because it’s on a street with a transit line and neighbors restaurants, street closure wasn’t possible. In addition, there are buildings butting right up against it on both sides. To say precision was essential to success is an understatement. The design of the project also added complexity. The brick cladding, a nod to Philadelphia’s local vernacular, and the large

windows meant steel framing was required. The window radiuses needed to be perfect in order to work with the framing, and the bricklayers needed to be skilled to pull it all off without a hitch.

The skill of the team and their ability to work in tandem — builder, architect, bricklayers, and suppliers — made the complications surmountable. And the eye-catching building that resulted “challenges the neighborhood’s architectural norms while complementing the streetscape.”

At the same time, the investment in good design and quality craftmanship has paid off. Residential units were rented within a week and at prices that surpass the market rate in a highly desirable neighborhood with lots of apartments. And the building is seen as a landmark and has even been named a finalist for AIA Pennsylvania’s Architectural Excellence Design Awards.

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