One of the country's most scrutinized and anticipated renovation projects, Philadelphia's LOVE Park, has been unveiling critical design decisions in recent weeks.
A beloved feature of Philadelphia's JFK Plaza, also known as LOVE Park, remains intact in the latest design proposals for the redevelopment of the park.
"When JFK Plaza / LOVE Park reopens in 2017 it will feature a refreshed version of the iconic Fairmount Park Welcome Center, the round mid-century modern pavilion in the southwest corner of the park, which will be outfitted for a 'significant food and beverage operation,'" reports Ashley Hahn.
So, the final design concept unveiled earlier this week by Hargreaves Associates and KieranTimberlake includes "the saucer" that has inspired a preservationist movement known as the Saucer Watch 2015.
According to Hahn, "KieranTimberlake found the saucer – essentially a concrete umbrella – is structurally viable, and it turns out, nicely adaptable. But that’s not to say there isn’t major reconstructive surgery to be done." Hahn goes on to detail the details of the work that the saucer will require.
In addition to the public support for the project, the decision to keep the saucer made fiscal sense: "Compared to a new building of the same square footage, the saucer proved cheaper to reuse by an estimated $1.6-$2 million. The estimated cost to renovate and outfit the building is $3.2 million, but constructing a new building of the same size on the park’s southwest corner could cost at least $4.8-$5 million."
The article includes additional discussion about the remaining design challenges facing the final design process.
FULL STORY: Designers show Saucer some LOVE
Opportunities Found for Redesign of Philadelphia's Famed JFK Plaza/LOVE Park
As the redesign for LOVE Park begins, Ashley Hahn reminds us of the park's role in supporting and maintaining civic life in the city of brotherly love.
Review: Philadelphia's Iconic Love Park Gets a Major Makeover
Architecture Critic Inga Saffron gives a less-than-stellar review of the newly revealed revamp of Philadelphia's Love Park.
New Proposal for Makeover of LOVE Park in Philadelphia
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