Cassatt House

Philadelphia, PA

The Library Company of Philadelphia sought to expand its academic and residential programming through the adaptive reuse of the Cassatt House, an 8,000-square-foot townhouse designed by Frank Furness. The building required restoration and modernization to support contemporary use while preserving its historic character. O Z Collaborative transformed the structure into a multi-functional facility that includes seminar and presentation spaces, offices, archival storage, and living accommodations for visiting scholars. These program elements support both research and public engagement.

The design approach prioritizes preservation and integration. Historic interiors were restored, including woodwork and original finishes, while new interventions were carefully introduced to maintain the building’s character. Modern building systems, including mechanical and life-safety infrastructure, were integrated within the existing fabric with minimal visual impact. Accessibility improvements, including a new elevator, allow the building to serve a wider range of users. The project adapts a historic townhouse into a contemporary academic resource, supporting the Library Company’s mission while preserving an important architectural landmark.

The Library Company of Philadelphia

< Historic
<Cultural & Civic

Brick wall with a plaque that reads "The Library Company of Philadelphia."
City street with old brick buildings and a modern high-rise building in the background, some cars parked along the snow-covered sidewalk.
View of multiple buildings in an urban area, including a red brick building with white window trims in the foreground, and larger beige and brown high-rise buildings in the background.
City street scene with historic and modern buildings, parked cars, a leafless tree, and a blue sky with scattered clouds.
City street scene showing a mix of older and modern buildings, parked cars, a streetlamp, and a person walking on the sidewalk. The sky is partly cloudy.