Ambre Gallery and Studio

Returning a remarkable historic storefront to its original glory

Special Citation, AIA Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter, 2009

Location: Bethlehem, PA

Client: Ambre Gallery and Studio

Completed: 2008

Artefact was hired to design the restoration of this late-nineteenth-century pharmacy building, designed by A.W. Leh, for reuse as an art gallery and studio. In the intervening years since the pharmacy had been operational, the building had been massively renovated for use as a comic store, resulting in a complete removal of the original facade. The client wished to restore the building to its original appearance while adding modern functionality and incorporating an upstairs apartment.

Physical and photographic evidence of the storefront’s historic appearance guided us on how to remove disruptive alterations and construct new display windows to recreate the original design. Former window openings at the rear and side of the building were reestablished, and window sashes with colored glass were milled and installed to replace the vinyl windows found in most of the window openings. The colors of the restored exterior recall the rich and varied palette of the Victorian era.

The first-floor spaces were renovated to recall the original pharmacy interior. The new tiled floor in the recessed entry was inspired by an existing interior floor found beneath layers of modern materials. New accessible toilet rooms and period kitchen cabinetry complete the first-floor design.

Before and After

Previous
Previous

Cobble Creek Condominiums

Next
Next

Wildlands Conservancy Environmental Education Center