Design opportunity on Market
Chris Russell
Issue date: 1/23/09 Section: Ed-Op
Another tenet of Venturi's is external simplicity with complex interior layouts. Drexel would do well to observe this principle of Venturi's. The building, being a shed, gives the school carte blanche to create an interior that addresses the complex needs of the design school which surely must be innovative and artfully-inclined. Perhaps they could take a page (or at least the interior architect's contact information) from Urban Outfitters Navy Yard Headquarters.
As for the drab 3401, its Market Street bones could only be improved by knocking out the walls and creating a retail storefront (or two) facing the street. With a critical mass of students and daytime workers, and increased retail options like the forthcoming dining terrace, even in a cautious economy, this would be an intelligent area to add such an amenity. The building's 34th Street side could also support an active use in its semi-subterranean level. Knowing that Drexelites enjoy dining underground, it could even be considered for a University use, such as the elusive second cafeteria.
By adaptively re-using these solid structures, Drexel has the opportunity to outwardly express the mission of their design program, grow their usable space, and create a much more inviting and enlivened space on a stretch of Market Street that will have to brace itself for an onslaught of undergrads wearing Northface fleece, sweatpants, and Ugg boots.
Chris Russell is a senior majoring in civil engineering. He can be reached at op-ed@thetriangle.org.
As for the drab 3401, its Market Street bones could only be improved by knocking out the walls and creating a retail storefront (or two) facing the street. With a critical mass of students and daytime workers, and increased retail options like the forthcoming dining terrace, even in a cautious economy, this would be an intelligent area to add such an amenity. The building's 34th Street side could also support an active use in its semi-subterranean level. Knowing that Drexelites enjoy dining underground, it could even be considered for a University use, such as the elusive second cafeteria.
By adaptively re-using these solid structures, Drexel has the opportunity to outwardly express the mission of their design program, grow their usable space, and create a much more inviting and enlivened space on a stretch of Market Street that will have to brace itself for an onslaught of undergrads wearing Northface fleece, sweatpants, and Ugg boots.
Chris Russell is a senior majoring in civil engineering. He can be reached at op-ed@thetriangle.org.
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