Extra-long seating elements for university campus in Philadelphia

Philadelphia-based landscape architecture and ecological design firm Andropogon teamed up with Streetlife to realise custom seating elements for Drexel University Campus in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia-based landscape architecture and ecological design firm Andropogon teamed up with Streetlife to realise custom seating elements for Drexel University Campus in Philadelphia. As part of an extensive renovation project, extra-long Longlife Benches from the Streetlife Collection have been combined with made-to-measure seating elements composed of Wood Top modules.

Drexel University’s Main Building dates from 1891, making it the oldest building on the campus. This iconic academic edifice is surrounded by the new Perelman Plaza, which forms a key part of a large campus renovation master plan. The new landscape design is the result of an extensive study into pedestrian flows between the different campus buildings. Various leisure spots have been created at strategic locations along the most popular routes, where seating platforms have been integrated with stone border walls by using the Wood Top System.

The Wood Top System is based on a single modular wood size. The flexibility of the system allows for the modules to be combined and extended freely along with rapid assembly and beautiful detailing. It offers architects a great deal of freedom in terms of shape and design. The FSC® hardwood Wood Top modules with mini Streetlock® comb fittings were delivered pre-assembled and fully integrated with the stone border wall. The seating elements offer an extraordinary visual appeal because of the staggered joints as well as the detailing of the integration with the stone base structure.

In addition, ten Longlife Benches from the Streetlife Collection have been placed in front of the Main Building. The benches are an exceptional twenty foot long and help to emphasise the interplay of lines within the master plan. As the Longlife Benches use the same Streetlife standardised modular wood size as the Wood Top System, a visually appealing coherence has been achieved. The Longlife Benches have a modest design, which does not detract from the impact of the monumental building itself.

Perelman Plaza has been transformed from a functional traffic hub into an accessible and attractive green public space. It is now an outdoor area for social gatherings and events where thousands of people can meet, eat, study and connect. Over time, the surrounding campus grounds will also be refurbished. The design will include the installation of Streetlife Podium Isles and Solid Picnic Tables for the University City Sience Center.