“A royal abode.” That’s how some describe Silverman Hall. It might surprise you that it is actually part of the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. But Silverman Hall wasn’t always classrooms. Originally, Silverman Hall housed the entire law school. That included the library and ornate reading rooms. Imagine the grandeur of legal scholars poring over texts in those spaces.
Silverman Hall’s story began in 1900. Cope and Stewardson designed it. They were known for their Gothic Collegiate style. Before Silverman Hall, they designed Bryn Mawr College. The university president appointed them after removing Frank Furness from the position. Besides the law school, Cope & Stewardson designed Penn’s Quadrangle and Bennet Hall. They also designed the engineering, medical, dental, English, and veterinary school buildings.
But time takes its toll. The reading rooms became classrooms. Over time, they suffered. Acoustics were poor. Lighting was bad. Heating and cooling were inadequate. The fine plaster detailing lost its luster. Students noticed. They wanted a sense of importance in their learning environment.
So, a renovation was planned. The goal was to transform the three rooms. They wanted to support 21st-century law education. They needed to integrate modern technology. Accessibility had to improve. Systems needed upgrades. The aim was to encourage interaction between students and faculty. All while preserving the historic character of Silverman Hall.
Each of the three rooms received a unique design. One got a generous horseshoe shape. It gained two built-up tiered floors to encourage discussion. Every seat had direct sightlines. Fixed microphones assisted with hearing and recording. Room 240B got six levels of tiered seating. This accommodated the traditional case-study style. Room 245A was outfitted with tables on castors and stackable chairs. This maximized flexibility. It allowed the room to serve as a classroom and a breakout space.
Acoustical plaster replaced hard surfaces. This greatly improved sound performance. Hidden cove lighting accentuated the panels. It highlighted the original repaired plaster ornament. A freestanding steel assembly showcased a large LED array. This design kept the original plaster detailing intact. The team knew technology would eventually need replacing.
One classroom had a door behind the lectern. Students had to walk in front of the professor to leave early. The renovation reconfigured the seating to improve flow. They replaced the old audio-visual technology with a large digital display. It was so bright that blackout curtains were not needed. Sheers replaced them.
The high-domed ceilings caused sound to bounce. To fix this, the team enlarged ductwork. They replaced the ceiling with acoustic plaster. This required removing and recasting the 19th-century handcrafted plaster medallions. Brass chandeliers were replaced with futuristic ring-shaped LED fixtures. They measured six feet in diameter.
One classroom had been painted mustard yellow in the 1980s. It was described as “pretty darn ugly.” Renderings of different color schemes helped choose new colors. Two classrooms became cream-colored with dusty blue trim. One classroom became cream with deep chocolate trim. The chocolate color paid homage to the room’s original faux-bois finishes.
The result is stunning. Students agree. Silverman Hall won awards. These included the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia’s Grand Jury Award in 2021. It also received The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies’ 2021 American Architecture Award. Step inside Silverman Hall. You will experience a blend of history and modernity. It’s a place where tradition meets the future of legal education.