Goshen Road (Private Residence)
Newtown Square, Pennsylvania
Architect:  VEYKO Inc.

This historic state-registered farmhouse had been abandoned for several years. New owners elected to renovate the farmhouse for use as a primary residence. This renovation included a two story addition. The foundations of the existing stone structure were in extremely poor condition. SDA upgraded the first, second, and roof framing per 2006 International Building Standards. The rough cut floor joists were recycled and exposed on the first and second floors.

Turners Mill
Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania
Architect:  John Milner Architects

In its prime, this historic mill was reportedly used as a painting studio for Andrew Wyeth. It was abandoned for several decades until the Chadds Ford Township rehabilitated the structure. The structural design for the stone mill required a new basement floor slab that was lowered several feet, a new first floor joist system, and a new timber roof structure. This photo depicts the original condition of the mill during the structural survey. The mill is currently used as an assembly hall and the new two story addition serves as Township offices.

Fort Mifflin
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Fort Mifflin served as a key Army post during both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars; it was a fully functioning fort until the 1950s. It is the oldest fort in the United States. An ammunitions storage facility/prison cell that had been buried over 200 years was unwittingly unearthed by groundsmen. SDA designed masonry upgrades to ensure a sound structure and designed an entrance into these below-grade rooms for public viewing.

Chinatown Friendship Gate
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Chinatown Friendship Gate, located at 10th and Arch Street in Philadelphia, is an internationally recognized landmark. It symbolizes the friendship between Philadelphia and its Sister City, Tianjin, China. The Gate was commissioned by the Department of Commerce and the Department of Public Property; construction was completed in 1984. The Gate is the first authentic Chinese Gate built in America by Chinese artisans. It weighs approximately 88 tons and stands 40 feet high. In an effort to restore the aesthetics and lighting of the Gate prior to the Beijing Olympics, Chinese artisans were once again brought to America. As the Engineer of Record, SDA performed construction management, contracted restoration contractors to execute demolition, and designed scaffolding prior to the arrival of the artisans.

Woodlands Mansion
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Architect:  John Milner Architects

The Woodlands Mansion, built by Andrew Hamilton, is a National Historic Landmark, one of the architectural masterpieces of 18th century America (c. 1787). The 250 acre property includes a complementary carriage house and stable (c. 1792) and an historic rural garden cemetery. The remains of noted Philadelphians Joseph Campbell, co-founder of Campbell Soup; William Bucknell, benefactor of Bucknell University; and Anthony J. Drexel, founder of Drexel University, among others, are buried here. In 2004, renovations were begun at Woodlands. SDA designed shoring and new structural steel posts that are concealed in the existing wood columns that surround the exterior portico. SDA also designed a handicap lift to enable public access.

Harriton Barn
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
Architect:  John Milner Architects

Charles Thomson, the first and only Secretary to the Continental and Confederation Congresses, was Harriton’s most famous occupant. The Harriton Barn structure is a fragment of a large stone barn. The Harriton Association converted the remnants of this 19th century barn into an administrative and interpretive center. SDA performed a structural condition survey and prepared construction documents for its restoration and repair. Significant floor upgrades were required to convert the barn into a lecture hall. The repairs consisted of reinstalling the first floor slab-on-grade and re-supporting the second floor lantern structure. The project received awards for the restoration.

Catholic Total Abstinence

Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaArchitectural
Conservator:  Milner + Carr

The Catholic Total Abstinence fountain was constructed by Herman Kirn in 1876 for the Centennial celebration in Philadelphia. The fountain and five statues are carved from white marble with granite steps. The central fountain is 40 feet in diameter with a marble statue of Moses. The original fountain design consists of water pouring from Moses’ feet and cascading over the rough stone into the pool. The four statues (Father Mathew, Charles Carroll, Archbishop John Carroll, and Commodore John Barry) were drinking fountains during the Centennial celebration.  The fountain and step area was originally constructed in an open grass park setting, transformed by the City of Philadelphia into a circular drive lane with a concrete sidewalk during the early 1900’s.  In 1910, ½ of the upper torso of the Father Mathew statue was damaged by lightning. The structural repairs to the statue were significant, with steel dowels and mortar re-connecting the upper and lower torso together. Later, the water source for the pool and drinking fountains was disconnected. SDA prepared structural construction documents to refurbish the marble statues and fountain.

Colonial Theater and Bank Building
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
Architect: Carnevale Eustis Architects

The Colonial Theater was opened in 1903 and is the last surviving of four theaters once existing in Phoenixville. It is the only theater of its kind in Chester County. The Colonial Theater sponsored live stage shows, vaudeville acts, and musicals. It is best known for being featured in the 1958 science film classic The Blob. SDA designed an organ lift on the main stage and a third floor assembly area for private parties and entertaining.

SDA designed the structural renovation upgrades with Carnevale Eustis Architects to the nineteenth century Gregorian style “Bank” building connected to the historic Colonial Theater. The newly remodeled Bank building contains two smaller scale theatres, classrooms, event spaces, and a rooftop deck.