Major improvements are officially underway for Philadelphia’s Independence Visitor Center, a main destination for tourists exploring the city’s historic section.
Excavation work for Phase 1 of construction has begun, which will include a gift shop expansion and an addition to the building’s southeast portion. Construction phases to follow will add new ticketing and information desks, a reimagined café and theater, and much more.
As part of the design team led by JacobsWyper Architects, The Lighting Practice provided lighting design services for the great hall, café, theater, and a new east terrace on the mezzanine level. With the goal of LEED Silver Certification, TLP selected fixtures with daylight responsive lighting control capability for the great hall and café. The updated theater will feature dimmable LED downlights and back-lit glowing benches to enhance the cinematic atmosphere and provide visual interest. Taking cues from the surrounding area, the east terrace lighting continues the cohesive design aesthetic along Independence Mall.
The Independence Visitor Center “… is the official visitor center for the Greater Philadelphia Region and is the primary point of orientation for Independence National Historical Park, the City of Philadelphia, the Southern New Jersey and Delaware River Waterfronts, as well as Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties in Pennsylvania.” Our team is proud to be working with JacobsWyper Architects and the rest of the design team enhancing the experience of approximately 2.5 million guests who visit the Independence Visitor Center each year.
Construction Begins at the Independence Visitor Center
JacobsWyper Architects | April 2017
Construction has officially begun on improvements to the Independence Visitor Center (IVC), located on Philadelphia’s Independence Mall. Led by JacobsWyper Architects, the project aims to create a more informative and interactive experience for the 2.5 million guests (on average) who visit the IVC each year.
Excavation work is currently underway for Phase 1 of construction, which includes an expansion of the gift shop and a new addition to the southeast portion of the building. The addition will contain new restroom facilities and also allow for enlargement of the second floor outdoor terrace. New information and ticketing desks, a completely reimagined cafe, a revamped theater and other architectural enhancements will follow in subsequent construction phases.
