Urban to help renovate and convert Memorial Hall to a museum
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Urban is on the winning team for the design of renovations to Memorial Hall in Philadelphia’s Fairmont Park. Architects Kise Straw & Kolodner head the team with Urban responsible for the civil/site design. The 128-year old landmark building will be the new home of the Please Touch Museum, which will relocate from cramped quarters in downtown Philadelphia.

Memorial Hall was designed to display artworks for the 1876 Centennial Exhibition, the first world's fair hosted by Philadelphia and the United States. Following the Centennial, the Hall was home to the Philadelphia Art Museum until 1928.

Plans call for the Please Touch Museum to take over the entire building, which would be restored and brought up to code in accordance with standards set for National Historic Landmarks. In conjunction with the nearby Philadelphia Zoo and Mann Music Center, the Please Touch Museum is anticipated to enliven this area of Fairmont Park. Museum officials are aiming for a 2006 opening.