A Floor for the Ages

This building in Philadelphia’s Kensington neighborhood has seen many changes over the last 100+ years. Our challenge as we remodel the first floor and convert it to living space is to make a floor that is ready for the next 100 years. We removed old wood flooring and found yellow brick pavers underneath. We replaced and reconfigured all underground plumbing. The site was graded and formed for the five different levels needed to execute this plan. Polished concrete is a long-lasting and beautiful floor, but to make it comfortable and energy-saving, we insulated under the slab and then added radiant tubing for invisible heat in the Winter. Concrete was brought in using a pump truck, and the last step will be to polish the slab and set the salvaged pavers we found in the internal courtyard.

Demolition reveals 100 year old yellow brick pavers

Grading

In ground plumbing

Planning and Prepping

Metal decking over the basement

Insulation and radiant tubing

Pour: Day One

Radiant heat temporary manifold and blue air barrier