Temple University Charles Library

Philadelphia, PA

Civil Engineering Services

LEED Certified Gold

In 2019, Temple University opened the new 4-story, 210,000 SF library at 13th Street and Pollet Walk in the heart of Temple’s main campus. The interior of the building features storage and display spaces, student study areas, centers for student success and a food service area while the exterior of the building expands the building’s gathering areas to patio spaces and ties the building in to Liacouras Walk. Hunt Engineering Company provided civil engineering design services including stormwater management, site grading, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, developing zoning plans, Planning Commission and Streets Department Complete Streets approval and the design of ADA Ramps at adjacent corners. Due to the constraints of the urban campus, the stormwater management design of the site proved challenging. In addition to meeting Philadelphia Water Department standards and LEED goals, the site was subject to Philadelphia Public Health and Safety Release Rate Requirements. Working with the design team, Hunt Engineering Company’s civil engineering staff developed a strategy to incorporate a large green roof footprint with below grade infiltration basins utilizing modular storage units nestled beneath the building’s hardscaping.