Frankford Friends School(s)

The Annex, Lower School, Quaker Meeting House, and Preschool

Client: Franklin Friends School

LOCATION: Philadelphia, PA

STATUS: Complete

YEAR: 2014-2024

Frankford Friends School has, over the past decade, embarked on a series of projects to expand and enhance the quality of education passionately offered by the school’s staff and leadership, and actively enjoyed by the student body.   The school has a long Quaker tradition that has been steadfastly continued in an urban area of North Philadelphia in great need of educational opportunities.

Woodcock Design, Inc. has been honored to provide campus planning and architectural design services for five sequential projects beginning in 2014.  Initially we looked at the entire campus space plan to understand the relationship between the campus and the desired curriculum.  Next, we identified the middle school building as the spot most in need of renovations, both to improve teaching space and provide specialized space for musical instruction.  As part of the planning, we identified swing space that would carry the school through the yearly schedule while renovations occurred.

Knowing more space for instruction was required, Frankford Friends repurposed an adjacent church building the (1) Annex, for art, music, and classroom space on an extremely tight budget.  We renovated a former rectory for science classroom and lab and renovated an existing the (2) Lower School classroom building for grades one through four including a special soundproofed music practice classroom.  Woodcock Design, Inc. then provided an assessment of the historic Quaker (3) Meeting House to provide a basis for capital planning and future use (code study, condition assessment, cost to repair, preservation measures, maintenance recommendations).  We then returned to the (4) Annex to develop the interior spaces for grades six and seven.  This included accessibility renovations and construction of two new classrooms in the lower level.  We repurposed the sanctuary to provide a multipurpose meeting space and gymnasium.  The project included replacement of windows and new HVAC, electrical systems, and fire alarm.  Our most recent project for Frankford Friends, now in construction, is a (5) Preschool serving the Kensington and Northern Liberties neighborhood. The preschool includes classrooms for children aged two and a half to five years of age and includes an outdoor area with recreational equipment and various activity areas for creative play.