The Allegheny West Foundation envisions
a solid future for the "Forgotten Blocks"—eight
residential blocks that lie in the crook of the SEPTA Regional
Rail “elbow” west of the North Philadelphia Station.
Allegheny West came to the Community Design Collaborative
for fresh ideas on rebuilding the vacant homes scattered thoughout
this neighborhood.
The Collaborative recruited Francis Cauffman
Foley and Hoffmann, an architecture, planning and interior
design firm, to help out. The firm organized volunteers on
staff to desigh prototypes for expanded homes and side yards
for the 1900 block of Somerset Street and the 1800 block of
Garnet Street. The volunteers developed design concepts that
combined vacant rowhouses and lots into homes with larger
interiors, outdoor decks or porches, and off-street parking.
Somerset Street: Volunteers: Rafael
Utrera, Registered Architect; Richard Beck, AIA, Registered
Architect; Nathan Morgan and Adam Scott, Intern Architects.
Value of Services:
$14,320
Garnet
Street: Volunteers:
Glen Conley, Registered Architect; Richard
Beck, AIA, Registered Architect; Ryan McGrath and Linda
Muronda, Intern Architect.
Value of Services:
$21,570
Combining an existing rowhouse
and vacant lot creates space for a side porch, a parking space,
and a new kitchen and family room.
"These teams were amazing. With enthusiasm,
they did research and brought highly creative ideas to make
ordinary row houses more interesting for people who will buy
low-cost housing."
— Peter Bartels,
Economic Development Specialist,
Allegheny West Foundation
