About

Farragut Street Architects was established in June 2013 to better explore the connection between architecture, design, and historic preservation through smaller projects for caring clients.  Focusing on adaptive reuse, preservation, remodeling, and rehabilitation, Farragut Street Architects offers a full range of architectural design services for residential and small commercial projects.  We love old buildings, and bring a breadth and depth of knowledge about them to every project.   Our work is primarily in Philadelphia, in the older houses and small buildings that make up the city’s distinctive neighborhoods.

Katherine Dowdell, AIA

Founding principal Kathy Dowdell has over 25 years of experience in architecture, interior design and historic preservation, giving her a strong understanding of planning, architecture and construction issues, particularly those encountered in older buildings.  Throughout her career, Ms. Dowdell has undertaken a broad range of project types including single and multi-family residential, retail, hotels, institutional buildings, and preservation and adaptive use projects of many types.  This experience gives her a unique understanding of the many issues – and surprises – that one may encounter when working on older buildings.

In addition to her professional practice, Ms. Dowdell is active in the local preservation community.  She served for many years on the board of the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia, including three years as board chair, and she remains active as a member of their Advocacy Committee.  She is an active member of the building and property committees at the Wagner Free Institute, and the Woodlands in West Philadelphia; she also serves on the board of directors at the Wagner.  Ms. Dowdell has been an adjunct professor at Drexel University, and at Jefferson University, and mentors younger architects both as students and in her practice.

For full resume, click here.