Built in 1906, with a renowned design by Horace Trumbauer, the private clubhouse of The Racquet Club of Philadelphia is an architectural icon in the city, known for its grandeur. When the club’s leadership was forced to address structural issues near the men’s shower caused by persistent water damage, they sought to redesign that area to bring back lost elements of its original design.

VMA met the challenge with a new configuration and sensitive restoration that would achieve both elegance and modern amenity to the historic shower facilities. With the other structural work going on around it, VMA introduced a new plan that created well-defined shower and toilet areas with a floor that was elevated and sloped to allow for both proper drainage and full accessibility. Original materials were reused, where  possible, and were supplemented by matching new materials, including marble, wall panels, mosaic marble floor tiles, white subway ceramic tiles, pressed aluminum ceiling, cage lights, and salvaged shower fixtures. Taken together, the changes recreate the luxe feel of the club’s original Turkish bath.

PUBLICATIONS

• "Reviving the Stonework of a Philadelphia Landmark." StoneWorld Magazine, April 2019.