The relocation of the Philadelphia Passport Agency (PPA) to the Nix Federal Building involved the renovation of approximately 48,000 SF of the historic post office to accommodate the agency. The intent was to preserve the integrity of the character-defining spaces, which included the historic Lobby and Workroom, while providing a secure, sustainable, and comfortable workspace to address the programmatic and physical needs of the Department of State.

Though the post office closed in 2017, the historic Lobby was retained as a public space with a front-facing program including queuing and circulation, security screening, and waiting areas. Interventions in the Lobby were intentionally minimal. Existing openings in the marble, 430-foot-long west Lobby wall were utilized for new restrooms and adjudication counters. Two sets of original entrances were encompassed within a single, secure screening area. Other entrance doors were made accessible and provided with new granite clad ramps at the existing semi-round landings. The clamshell pocket bronze outer doors, formerly housing revolving doors, were restored and made operable.

The postal Workroom also retained a good degree of its historic character. Significant elements included the high volume and exposed structure; the suspended lookout gallery at the perimeter of the space; the prismatic glass clerestory windows; the wood floor; and the wainscot structural glazed block, all were largely included in the new design.

The Workroom required a more intensive use, and a major challenge was defining smaller spaces within the volume to maintain the full height of the ceiling. The smaller spaces at the perimeter, serving as private offices, were defined by lookout gallery walls, lower ceilings, different paint finishes, and a system of baffles. Workstations within the central area received natural light through the clerestory windows and from a glass wall added to the Mezzanine. Also serving the agency were rooms for the formal reception area, training, conference meetings, network equipment, staff lockers, small kitchen and dining, restrooms, passport processing, printing, and customer service.
The new design complemented the historic spaces while improving life safety and accessibility. The project is anticipated to receive LEED silver certification for Interior Design and Construction.