Hamilton Building Renovation, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA (Phase 1 completed 2003, Phase 2 completion 2004)
Architect: Dagit Saylor Architectsr; Photo: Tom Craine

Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts

Hamilton Building Renovation

The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts is the country's oldest art school. The renovation of the nearby office building offered the opportunity to expand special exhibition space and allow the original landmark Furness building more space to display the permanent collection. Large single- and two-story galleries are outfitted with gallery lighting solutions. These provide the total flexibility of fixture position and lighting effect required to respond to the wide range of object types and conservation concerns encountered in changing special exhibitions. To produce similar art lighting options, the entrance lobbies and common areas are lit with recessed accent lighting.

Recommendations from Hefferan Partnership influenced the architectural design so visitors could comfortably transition from exterior to gallery lighting levels.