Elegant Minimalism
Geberit Elevates Minimalist Design in Society Hill Townhouse Renovation Society Hill Townhouse - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Project Background & Goal
Award-winning architect and designer Kevin Yoder of k YODER design was tasked with updating a midcentury Society Hill townhouse in Philadelphia—originally designed in 1962 by I.M. Pei—as part of a larger interior renovation. Society Hill, one of the city’s most sought-after historic neighborhoods, is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Yoder’s goal was to preserve the architectural purity of the original design while integrating 21st-century conveniences and minimalist elegance throughout the compact home, including both the powder room and master bathroom.
Challenges
The renovation required a complete overhaul of the 1960s bathrooms, including the removal, replacement, and relocation of all plumbing and fixtures. However, the townhouse’s limited footprint, rigid floor and wall structures, and overall layout left little flexibility for standard floor-mounted toilets. Incorporating modern amenities without disrupting the home’s clean lines or structural integrity would be a major design and logistical challenge. Yoder needed a solution that balanced minimalist form with space-efficient function.
Key Solution
Yoder first encountered Geberit while specifying systems for luxury Shangri-La Hotels and later chose to install Geberit in-wall systems in his own Society Hill residence. Pleased with the results, he brought the same approach to a second townhouse renovation in the complex for a professional couple. The Geberit Duofix Carrier System allowed Yoder to conceal the tank behind the wall, opening up valuable floor space and contributing to the refined modern aesthetic.
“The ability to capture wall space makes Geberit systems very attractive when designing within existing conditions,” Yoder explains. The concealed tank and wall-mounted toilet created a seamless look in both the powder room and master bathroom, while preserving design flexibility for fixture placement. Yoder finished the installation with Geberit Sigma20 Round, formerly known as the Sigma30, polished chrome Flush Plates, chosen for their intuitive function and minimalistic lines.
Results & Impact
The completed bathrooms reflect the home’s updated, clean, and modern character. The Geberit system not only improved floor space and functionality but also enhanced the visual flow of the rooms, aligning with the minimalist design principles central to the renovation.
“We won’t recommend a product we don’t use ourselves—as in the case of Geberit in my own townhome,” said Yoder.
The Geberit system’s ability to float fixtures above the floor helped deliver a crisp, spacious layout that respected the townhouse’s historic roots while embracing modern luxury. It’s a solution that supports design innovation without compromise, especially in space-conscious or historically significant renovations.
Design Firm: k YODER design
Interior Designer: Kevin Yoder, AIA
Bathroom Photo: © Jeffrey Totaro