Photo: Halkin Mason Photography
Hamilton Court is comprised of seven residential buildings with 105 units surrounding a central courtyard. The courtyard was organized around an ornate fountain and gardens and, over time, these elements were demolished. The courtyard was paved and converted to parking. An amenity building was constructed with a distinct exterior featuring black perforated metal panels in angular forms, to serve residents, most of which are students at nearby University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University.
Coscia Moos Architecture LLC’s design scope for the new Hamilton Court amenities building called for a modern adjunct to the historic building constructed separately on the courtyard and not disturb the existing structure. Given its position in the courtyard, the new structure was designed with a large amount of glass to reflect the Venetian style of the surrounding apartment building. The building contains retail space on the ground floor and amenities including a fitness center, pool, hot tub and two terraces on the second floor. The building is clad in curtainwall and brick with a faceted, perforated aluminum skin wrapping most of the second floor. A galvanized subframe supports the skin, which is tied back to the primary steel structure located between curtainwall supports.
The project utilized Hendrick Architectural Products Inc.’s perforated aluminum panels and an anodized dark bronze coating. The roof and wall panels have 0.19-inch and 0.75-inch round holes staggered at a 1.563-inch oncenter pattern.
