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As an integral member of the Paschalville Library assessment and redesign team, DIGroup Architecture (DIGroup) recently participated in the ground-breaking for the $13.2 million reconstruction of this historic 1914-era building, a 11,000-SF community cornerstone on Woodland Avenue in Southwest Philly. The certified Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE) firm, which has garnered numerous awards for its ability to merge historic preservation into modern designs, has been involved with the project since 2020.
“We are thrilled to continue our work on the Paschalville Library with the 70+ stakeholders with whom we worked on the assessment as well as the team at Rebuild Philadelphia,” said DIGroup’s Matt Funk, senior project architect, who spearheaded the building’s conditions assessment and will lead the Architect-of-Record assignment. “Projects like this enable DIGroup Architecture to do what we do best – deploy our talents to restore community gathering places as well as create modern spaces for shared resources and opportunities for growth among all ages.”
Opened to the public in 1915, the Paschalville Library’s reconstruction is part of Philadelphia’s Rebuild Program, a historic investment in public spaces across the city. While serving the Paschalville and Elmwood neighborhoods, the library also serves as a key resource for local students and workforce development. The building’s last renovations were completed in 1995, which is when internet service was brought to every city library branch.
Prior to the pandemic, DIGroup Architecture was tapped by Rebuild to complete a facility conditions assessment, which included a site and structure evaluation, health and life safety analysis, ADA/code compliance review, zoning analysis and historic designation review, along with initial programming studies and cost estimating services. The process, which included input from members of the surrounding Southwest Philadelphia community, prioritized the library’s needs and identified working budgets for a variety of scope bundle options.
Needs identified included:
DIGroup, which has an office in the Allegheny West section of North Philadelphia, is widely acknowledged for incorporating its axiom of “Architecture for Change” into each assignment.
The Paschalville Library marks the latest project for the firm in Philadelphia. DIGroup also is currently engaged in strategic planning for the 2.4MSF Budd Bioworks life sciences campus. At the former Budd Factory site, the DIGroup team has been tasked with creating a unified urban campus with an array of gathering spaces and state-of-the-art lab space with key functional requirements for a successful bio-cluster campus.
DIGroupArchitecture is an award-winning, mid-sized architecture, interior design and graphic design firm with studios specializing in various areas of concentration: education, healthcare, senior housing and community-civic. A minority-owned business with a philosophy that everyone deserves great architecture, DIG is currently staffed with approximately 30 professionals and looking to expand our team and to fill the Architect III/Architectural Staff III position.
Desired Qualifications
Compensation & Benefits
Interested candidates please send your cover letter, resume and portfolio to: [email protected].
At DIG, we welcome and encourage diversity in the workplace. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.Architect III
Barbara graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnical Institute’s Architecture program. She has spent over a decade in marketing, where her understanding of architecture uniquely enhances her ability to inform the firm’s proposal development and marketing communication strategies and to position the firm as an industry leader. Barbara leverages the team’s knowledge and expertise into compelling content that reinforces brand identity and builds recognition among our clients and peers.
She handles the rigors of her role with determination and adapts quickly to challenges, which stems from an adventurous spirit. When not fine-tuning workflow efficiencies, Barbara is out and about with her family enjoying the outdoors; from ski slopes to local trails to playgrounds to CrossFit.
Emily graduated with a Business Degree from TCNJ and has worked in the Accounting and Finance departments for software, manufacturing and construction companies. Her professional strengths in accounts receivable, process improvement and account analysis are well suited for the complex nature of architectural project billing.
Emily loves to bake, but don’t ask her to make dinner – cooking is not her forte! Her husband is the family chef, and their two young daughters love to “help” in the kitchen. Some of Emily’s favorite things to do include riding bikes with her older daughter Layla, reading with her younger daughter Evelyn, going out to dinner with her husband and friends, and drinking a cup of coffee in peace and quiet.
Chris A’Hearn comes to DIG with over 20 years of experience in corporate financial management across several industries. Along with a BS in Accounting from Rutgers University’s School of Business and an MBA from Monmouth University, Chris has a keen interest in sustainable building solutions and earned the LEED AP Certification. With his experience in engineering and commercial construction, Chris helps DIG to achieve its financial growth initiatives. He brings his passion for sustainable construction and design to the firm as well as contributing his financial expertise to the DIG team focusing on future success.
Away from the office, Chris and his wife, Anne, stay busy with 2 children. Emily studies at Bucknell University and is interested in life sciences. Andy is a gifted and talented student as well as a competitive YMCA swimmer.
DIGroupArchitecture is an award-winning, mid-sized architecture, interior design and graphic design firm with studios specializing in various areas of concentration: education, healthcare, senior housing and community-civic. A minority-owned business with a philosophy that everyone deserves great architecture, DIG is currently staffed with approximately 30 professionals and looking to expand our team and to fill the Architect I/Architectural Staff I position.
Desired Qualifications
Compensation & Benefits
Interested candidates please send your cover letter, resume and portfolio to: [email protected].
At DIG, we welcome and encourage diversity in the workplace. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.