PLEASE TOUCH MUSEUM
CLIENT
Please Touch Museum

LOCATION
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

STRUCTURE
The Please Touch Museum occupied three buildings on the 200 block of North 21st Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The original building, known as the Carpet Building, is a three-story brick industrial building from the late 19th century. The areas of concern for the existing structure fell into three categories:  fire safety, mechanical systems, and housekeeping. Our involvement with the Museum took place in 2002. Since the report was issued the Museum has relocated to Memorial Hall is West Fairmount Park.

CHALLENGE
We were retained by the Museum to provide a summary of the building and systems conditions for the Museum as they relate to the storage and exhibition of the museum’s collections. Analyzing the buildings as containers, we were able to assess the building in terms of preventing water infiltration, providing a controlled environment, and maximizing safety.

SCOPE OF SERVICE
  • Conducted an on-site investigation.
  • Provided a summary of the building and systems conditions as they relate to the storage and exhibition of the museum’s collections.
  • Identified and provided issues relevant to the Conservation Assessment Program (CAP) assessment in the form of a written report.
SOLUTION
  • We identified and provided general recommendations on how to improve the buildings in their capacity as “containers”.
  • The recommendations were meant to assist the Museum to increase the safety and comfort of the buildings for the collections, patrons, and employees.
  • The Museum ultimately relocated to another location, the recommendations in this report assisted them in making that decision.