Venice Island Performing Arts and Recreation Center

Philadelphia, PA

project categories

Recreation

Bordered by the Schuylkill River and Canal in Philadelphia’s Manayunk neighborhood, Venice Island was the site of several 19th century manufacturing mills. The new Venice Island Performing Arts and Recreation Center recalls an industrial aesthetic reminiscent of the former mills. BKP’s design juxtaposes an industrial exterior – cast-in-place concrete, precast exposed-aggregate concrete panels, metal fascia and roof – with a 250-seat jewel-box theater clad in warm maple panels with rich accent colors. Designed for and with local residents’ involvement and to support community recreation and larger environmental goals, the venue includes the performing arts center plus outdoor recreation amenities and playgrounds. The overall $46 million Venice Island project included sophisticated storm water management with a four-million gallon underground storage tank to alleviate past flooding on the site. In addition to designing the arts center, BKP collaborated with environmental engineers and landscape designers on comprehensive site planning to support functional, environmental, and recreational needs. As part of the project, BKP worked with the City of Philadelphia’s Percent for Art program to commission Masayuki Nagase to create, River of Life, a site-specific public artwork.

Client

City of Philadelphia Department of Parks & Recreation
Cost

$3.2 million
Size

8,000 square feet
Honors

2016 Urban Land Institute Rouse Award for Excellence
2015 Delaware Valley Green Building Council Groundbreaker Award

Venice Island Performing Arts and Recreation Center

Philadelphia, PA

Media Coverage

Click to watch video of the sustainable, community-focused project:

Read about the opening celebrations:

Client

Cost

Size

Honors

“It will be a destination spot for a lot of people who have been wanting something new and different for the community.”

— Mayor Michael Nutter