Market Street has been one of Philadelphia’s most important thoroughfares since William Penn’s original plan for the city in the 17th century. Today, 3151 Market occupies a pivotal position at the edge of Schuylkill Yards, where the layered urban neighborhood meets the campuses of Drexel and UPenn to form a new nexus of knowledge and innovation. Designed by Gensler as a gateway between University City and Schuylkill Yards, the life sciences tower sits at the convergence of two diagonal pedestrian pathways connecting these adjacent universities.
At street level, SWA’s landscape design establishes public nodes for social engagement, frames gateway moments and vistas, and prioritizes pedestrian comfort. Because Market Street wraps the entire project, every edge was treated with equal care, from the primary frontages to the garage entry and temporary alley.
Special attention was given to materials and finishes to complement Gensler’s architecture while meeting public streetscape standards. Custom planters navigate the site’s grade changes, carefully coordinated to slope with the street, remain level at seating areas, drain on structure, and integrate cleanly with the building facade. The result is a ground-level experience that reflects both the ambition of Schuylkill Yards and the enduring civic character of one of Philadelphia’s most storied streets.
Alipay Headquarters
The new the Hangzhou Alipay Headquarters is located between the Xi Xi wetlands and downtown Hangzhou, a city renowned for its rich culture and beautiful landscapes. Hills and small mountains surround the headquarters building in three directions, and in the fourth lies downtown Hangzhou. Three landscape “movements” derived from openings in the building direct ...
Larchmont Yacht Club
Larchmont Yacht Club is the second-oldest yacht club in the United States. Conceived in 1880 on the cleft rocks of Larchmont Manor, the club has grown to a membership in excess of 600, with a continued mission to instill and enhance an interest in yachting and the spirit of sportsmanship in members and their families. Set within a mature forest of deciduous tr...
Busan Lotte Tower
Busan Lotte World is an extraordinary mixed-use destination for residential, office, hotel, shopping, entertainment, and tourism and includes one of the tallest buildings in the world at 107 stories. The SOM designed tower is composed of four buildings that connect to each other internally via a covered arcade.
The landscape strikes a dramatic pose in t...
Four Seasons Oahu at Ko Olina
The design team’s challenge was to re-envision the existing hotel as a premier luxury destination that employs aspects of local culture and heritage to create a unique sense of place. An existing pool and water features were renovated, two new pools added, and restaurants enhanced. The resulting Four Seasons Hotel redevelopment and new residences by partner To...