WHAT DROVE DECISION-MAKING
Like many buildings on the UPenn campus, the Evans building is not on the National Register of Historic Places but holds significance in the university’s history, specifically for PDM. In honor of the character of the original Evans building, the clinic’s new ceiling shape and contemporary chandeliers were informed by historic photos.
Understanding of natural and artificial lighting was critical in the success of this project. Within the clinic, the team developed a strategy to reintroduce large north-facing windows that had been blocked by previous renovations. Via a forensic approach to learning about the history of the Evans building, the team was able to deliver new high-performance curtainwall windows that are representative in scale, proportion and aesthetic quality to the original windows. To ensure consistency of lighting, the team employed lighting analysis software to model artificial lighting scenarios and achieve the school’s standard of 90 foot-candles (to ease eye fatigue of students and faculty) and 5000 Kelvin (for color matching).
Meanwhile, the Schattner Pavilion addition proved to be an interesting lighting challenge. The primary façade is west facing, and the 2-story addition is directly in front of the Schattner center’s light-filled entry atrium. The team again employed analysis software to study the effects of the overall building massing to maintain direct light into the Schattner center’s entry lobby. The team employed shading elements, like façade fins and canopies, to mitigate uncomfortable light and heat, as well as selected glazing and frit patterns to ensure a comfortable, glare-free and light-filled place.
Similar to other learning environments, the teaching clinic needed to strike a balance between aural privacy and comfort with the need for faculty observation. By employing a combination of industry-standard approaches and customized solutions, the clinic consists of acoustic ceiling tiles to absorb high-frequency sounds and 1,300 square feet of absorptive wall panels installed on the south side of the clinic to offset the hard surfaces of the large windows across the entire north wall. The operatory wall design played a critical role in the solution, as well. The partial-height walls were carefully studied to determine height and length to ensure conversations in each operatory would remain private while allowing faculty to observe students and ease circulation in and through the individual operatories.
The team coordinated directly with UPenn dental operations and maintenance staff to ensure material selections were in keeping with the university’s Facilities and Real Estate Services standards and would be appropriate for the school’s maintenance procedures. Flooring selections and waste-management procedures were of concern. Additionally, the teaching clinic is a highly trafficked space designed to withstand the abuse of students and the public. The modular wall surfaces, which include a subtle matte sheen to reduce surface reflection as part of the calming environment, are constructed of materials resistant to scratching, staining, chipping and peeling. Should damage occur, the surfaces can be repaired onsite quickly to ensure minimal operatory-room downtime.
FULFILLING THE MISSION
Comprehensive clinical experience, diverse patient base and wide exposure to cases is essential to success of any student participating in the UPenn dental program. All students and a large segment of Philadelphia’s underserved population use the renovated Main Clinic dedicated to general restorative dentistry. Supporting student and patient experiences, the Schattner Pavilion addition separates student space from the entry atrium. The addition’s patient waiting area is within view of the Main Clinic entry and has sightlines directly to the outdoors and the clinic, easing patients’ angst about knowing where to go in an unfamiliar place.
PDM is a top-tier medical institution. EwingCole was entrusted to preserve the legacy of PDM and provide its students and patients with a facility to carry that legacy into the future. Through collaboration, problem solving and resolve, the team delivered project solutions worthy of a “flagship” clinic for the school of dental medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
PHOTOS: HALKIN/MASON PHOTOGRAPHY LLC unless otherwise noted
Retrofit Team
ARCHITECT, INTERIOR ARCHITECT, STRUCTURAL ENGINEER, MECHANICAL ENGINEER, ELECTRICAL ENGINEER AND PLUMBING ENGINEER: EwingCole
DENTAL PLANNING: Kelly Maiello Architects
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Target Building Construction
Materials
CARPET: Interface
FLOORING: Patcraft; Marca Corona; and Armstrong Flooring Inc.
CABINETS: Dupont Corian; Formica; and Wilsonart
CEILINGS: Gordon and Armstrong Ceiling & Wall Solutions
CERAMIC TILE: Marca Corona and Stone Source
PAINT: Sherwin-Williams
FURNITURE: Bernhardt and KI
LOUNGE FURNITURE: KI; Kimball; Krug; and Stylex
MULTIPURPOSE-AREA FURNITURE: KI; Keilhauer; Arcadia; Spec; and Cumberland
OFFICE FURNITURE: Haworth and Trendway
OPERATORY PARTITIONS: Futrus
PLANTERS: Magnuson Group
CLINIC WINDOWS AND FAÇADE FINS: YKK
CLINIC CHANDELIER LIGHT FIXTURES: Ring from BETA-CALCO Inc.
GLAZING: Viracon
SUNSHADE CANOPIES: Construction Specialties