In the News...Design Collective to Design New University of the Sciences Dorm

By: Melissa Romero

The University of Sciences has quietly unveiled its plans to convert the old Alexander Wilson school at 46th and Woodland into a student dormitory.

West Philly Local reported yesterday that Design Collective, a Baltimore-based architecture firm, presented plans to local residents Wednesday night that included a U-shaped, 4- to 5-story glassy building that would house about 400 students.

The plans also included an open courtyard and ground-floor retail. A separate parking garage would be built on an existing parking lot to accommodate the dormitory.

A representative for the University of Sciences told Curbed Philly that they weren't ready to release renderings to the public yet, as they plan to incorporate some of the suggestions from neighbors and community stakeholders into the design.

University of Sciences bought the school in 2014 for about $1 million. The Alexander Wilson Public School was one of about two dozen schools that were shuttered by the district in 2013.

Design Collective is no stranger to Philly. The firm designed the Domus residences at the University of Pennsylvania and the Hanover North Broad development that broke ground in February.

http://philly.curbed.com/2016/4/1/11348292/design-collective-to-design-new-university-of-the-sciences-dorm