Margaret Esherick House Conservation

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

An award-winning conservation effort respects the transcendence of Louis Kahn’s 1961 jewel box residence for bookseller Margaret Esherick while using 21st century technology and amenities to create a highly livable home for the present owners. Conservation work preserves and enhances the home’s one-of-a-kind kitchen built by renowned sculptor Wharton Esherick, Margaret’s uncle. kYD collaborated with an extensive team including the homeowners, Louise Cohen Interiors, expert conservators, and consultants from the Wharton Esherick Museum and University of Pennsylvania Architectural Archives.

kYd designed an efficient new galley kitchen in a former utility room to reduce some of the use and wear on the Esherick kitchen. The room is juxtaposed as a complementary, contemporary counterpart to the original kitchen and Kahn’s architecture; soapstone, matte aluminum, and expert new woodwork honor the original material selection and craftsmanship with a modern approach. Additional scope included design of a concealed projection system in the living room, refreshing primary bathroom fixtures and finishes, adding a second-floor laundry in a former storage room, devising a creative non-intrusive method for insulating the wood window shutters, and relocating exterior utilities for a refined east elevation.

The overarching concept of livability frames the story of the Esherick House Conservation. To ensure continued stewardship and use as a private home, the new owners and their collaborative design and construction team preserved its architectural integrity and retained its form and function. Subtle modifications maintain the rigor of servant and served spaces, complement – rather than replicate – aesthetic details, and refine elements not intrinsic to Kahn’s vision.

Photos © Jeffrey Totaro