William Pierce Middle School sits on the corner of 24th and Christian street in the South of South (SOSA) area of Philadelphia. SOSA is in need of local food markets and higher learning centers. P.H.A.R.M.S. is a market place, a school for all ages, and includes a student-managed and operated “vertical” farm that helps support the market. 24th and Christian is a neighborhood bouncing back from urban decay. The Julian Abele Park is an excellent example of this, unlike the existing William Pierce School. The School stands out in scale, but in a way that is oppressive to the neighborhood. Its red brick facade makes an attempt to blend into the site, which is ineffective. PHARMS aims to create an inward focused building that engages the community and brings attention to the neighborhood.
View of the existing school from the corner of 24th and Christian
View of the entire site
The Vertical Farm is seperated from the main building, emphasising the seperation of the three distinct programs. this seperation also lets a high degree of light into the second and third floors of the vertical farm, which is ideal for growing.
The Market digs into the site, a guesture that creates an inward focused space with areas to collaborate and purchase locally grown produce and other goods.
The School has a seperate entrance from the market, yet sits directly above it. the repetition of the facade gives it a connection to the Vertical Farm, as well as the the floor plates with are ramped like the market.
View from 24th street
