philly, by design

play with camera or dimension floor plans? hmm, tough choice.






just 2 more weeks till freedom...

why update your space with mass-produced trash when you can shop local and authentic???

"this popular, block-party style event features local arts organizations and 100+ artists showing and selling affordable artwork for every budget (nothing over $199), plus live music, raffle, food, and drink..." sounds like a good time to me!

saturday, june 10th 1-8pm @ the crane arts building, 1400 north american street.

inliquid- local arts non-profit with tons of pictures, links, events, biographies, and more

(formerly)

(interior)

(double-wide)

(view)

apparently the building hasn't changed much since 1936's belber trunk factory: exposed decking, concrete (with scattered masonry) walls, and tulipped columns remain. reconstruction is still in the early stages of rehabitation though, with floors 6 and above (seen in the 2nd interior pic) pretty much unrecognizable as condo-space...

major flaw: half walls for a two-bedroom apartment. per code, you can't have full height walls in bedrooms without windows. guess privacy can't be too high a priority for potential residents...

so-so, not bad: raised bedrooms and/or living areas. level changes make spaces feel more special, plus give you different eyelines throughhout... which could be good OR bad, depending on the quality of your interiors person.

good stuff: (tie) a super-fast glass elevator and some really nice views of the city.

more:

philadelphia historic photo archive- organized by location

orens brothers- developers

wulff architects- in chrage of renovation. check out the original plans for the building under multi-familt residential, yikes

situated in the middle of an otherwise-un-noteworthy strip of sansom street is a cozy haven for designers and tea aficionados alike. opened just last year, remedy tea reflects the personal aesthetic of sisters kristen and courtney kammerer in both offerings and environment:

i can't get enough of that chandelier...

what was once an abandoned storefront has been made truly invigorating by the duo. a large space is made comfortable and more inviting by the use of varied materials and bold colors. chocolate wood tones, antique whites, lime green and -my personal fave- electric orange metallics all combine to make for an uplifting, yet comfortable experience. add modern furnishings, raw concrete, & auction-bought chandelier too??? fantastic stuff.

my drink of choice is their take on the cosmo... with passionfruit iced tea, cranberry juice & lime juice, mmm...

remedy tea online- history, press, and menus... enjoy!

this ain't basket-weaving and faux finishes people...

kinda makes "first unitarian" sound a bit boring, doesn't it?

however eyecatching, the name's deceiving: what was once hallowed ground has long been de-sanctified, so it doesn't even get the title "church" any longer. instead, the space has played host to a number of secular businesses in the past and has been vacant for almost a year now. however, the site at 22nd and chesntut streets recently acquired some new tenants.... and through the generosity of a good friend (thanks chris!), i was able to attend their much-anticipated welcoming reception last night.

but before i offer up the requisite photos, let me prelude with this:

while the outside remained true to the original, walking by i could only imagine what was left of the guts of the space. developers of corporate culture, as sensitive to architectural history as they can be... yeah right.... very easily have covered, removed, and even destroyed the works of long-forgotten artisans and craftsman time and time again. at the risk of sounding melodramatic, i was sure the space had been ruined forever...

all i can say is, i'm glad i was wrong:



mark b thompson architects- also behind the renovations of the waterworks and reading terminal

philadelphia area buildings- pictures and history of the site, membership required

corporate facilities inc- new tenants who throw a damned good party ;)

from may 3-july 30, candida hofer's "architecture of absence" will be on display at the institute of contemporary art at the university of pennsylvania. her advert/postcard reads in part:

[she] photographs grand interior spaces overtaken by an exquisite sense of stillness... absence is signaled everywhere by empty chairs, podiums, and arenas around the world that call out to be occupied.

the only way i can describe her work is as if i'm on the precipice of seizing... it's absolutely *sick* (slang, a good thing) the way she's able to capture this odd, biological nature of a space without a human population. it's a great marriage of art, architecture, and interior design, in my opinion. i can't wait to see her work in person, and wish me luck sneaking into the opening night... ;)

more eye candy:
former exhibition pics with bio
upcoming show at the institute of contemporary art

(pictures courtesy ica and r. bransten)

on my daily commute...




society created to reduce urban blight- local philly group! contains everything you need to know about billboards and other pollution in the city. pics, links, cases, press and more... good stuff.

scenic america site- the good guys

outdoor advertising association of america- the bad guys

"culture jamming"- spinoff topic, using billboards to combat advertising

(employee lounge)

(principals' office, yes there are two people here!)

(individual office complete with tiki theme)

(bahdeebahdu light sculpture in living/conference room)

(rt's awards displayed)

pretty damn cool, huh? kinda makes you even less thrilled (if that's possible) to drag yourself to the office tomorrow... sorry.

design-wise, i'm fond of the heavy use of art and industrial designs in the space. i saw matte-black bikes on walls, totem-like objects d'art in halls, as well as a whole wall of vintage radioes on display. further, halogen lights (like the kind you have at home) are interspersed throughout. and the curved-back sofa & coffeetable/conference area??! my my my...

a relatively recent trend in office design is the push for residential materiality and ambiance. rather than create an environment of laziness and inefficiency, the thinking behind this is simple: make the space comfortable and people will stay there longer. longer time in the office=more work achieved. it does a helluva lot for employee satisfaction and reduced turnover as well, i'm sure.

either way, i called a graphic designer friend immediately after my tour and forced him to submit his resume... live vicariously much?

agoos-lovera- local architects with style

bahdeebahdu- hip lighting design

in between design events this week, i managed to stop in the bo concept store that opened just last month. one of several new design stores in philly, bo stands out with its mid-to-upper level modern selections. while the store itself is worth a visit for retail design aficionados (remember the parade of shoes there last year?), if nothing else you have to stop by the website. besides having a great layout and all the requisite functions, listings, and links there's also a program available to let you design and layout your own space three-dimensionally... pretty damn cool. ;)

bo concept philadelphia
1719 chestnut street
(ask for peter!)

design philadelphia homepage

i know i'll regret sharing this shopping secret...

one part thrift store, one part curio cabinet, the circa gallery is set apart from others in both its sheer volume and material focus. greeted by collectors & dumspter divers alike each and every day, the owner hand-selects the pieces he wants to purchase for his store. what impressed me most here is the theme he's created with his taste, which lies somewhere between pack rat and industrial designer... small, detailed, balanced, and curious items line the floor, walls, surfaces, and ceilings in this cramped little store. amongst the wares included are: pots, toys, figurines, souvenirs, cast-offs, mechanical items, picture frame, boxes of all sizes, old cameras, perfume bottles, boas, desk accessories, and much much more.

i picked up the fancy mirror below for just $30. it's detail & shape offset the modern lines of my apartment while giving me a place for my mail, keys, and coat at the same time. good stuff.

circa gallery's located on sansom street between 20th & 21st... open monday thru saturday 11-6. happy hunting!

(main dining room)

escorted by the host into the main dining area, the eye immediately notices the colorful seating- armchairs of white, green, and yellow (note- the basic elements of lime...) these surround the steel and lucite pedestal tables dotting the room. additionally, the lounge's stools reappear briefly, only this time clad in polished steel. lining 3 walls of the room are "floating," cove-lit walnut bookshelves, complete with art and architecture volumes. lastly, elegant murano(?) glass chandeliers share space with a modern-coffered ceiling, another nod to the meeting of two eras. the lighting is further enhanced by pedestal lights by the windows, adding to the "study" theme of the room.

while the space looked pretty good, it could use a bit of tweaking in my opinion. some suggestions:

vary the heights- be it in the furniture, drapery, or the ceiling details. height translates to luxury...

vary the textures- all of the surfaces had the same flat feel from furntiure to floor to walls. even though i'm fairly certain the bookshelves are finished in real black walnut, they nonetheless looked like ikea-brand pressed wood with plastic veneer... right, no good.

*at such expensive prices, the sense of luxury here should be palpable*

one other problem i found (and i always seem to find at starr's places) was the seating: comfortable to relax in, but unsuitable for dining. especially in a steakhouse like this, you must be able to get "above" your food to cut it... the feeling is comparable to sitting on your couch while eating at your dining room table- it just doesn't work. after dinner, i found the chairs much more appropriate, especially after the cocktails, bottle of wine, hearty meal, and dessert. :)

(side note- you know that i've now permanently ruined you for seating at starr's places, right? sorry.)

lastly, i had to check out the bathroom. often that's where designers like to have the most fun: it's small, out of the way, and people only visit briefly. these did not dissappoint. a mosaic combo of brushed and reflective stainless steel tiles dot the unisex walls make for a luxurious feel. additionally, individual stalls with doors that travel from floor to ceiling have their own small mirrors for inconspicuous touch ups as well as speakers to drown out noises from beyond. lastly, modern pedestal sinks and contemporary nickel faucets round out the space.

in the end, i wasn't disappointed with the barclay prime. even though i might have changed a few things, all in all the place felt pretty good. besides, you can't anticipate the minutia of every design, especially in as large-a-scale space as this. what's more- even using an international designer such as mahdavi gives credit to the owner in my book. more people should follow starr's lead here, not just for desitination dining, but really to make the experience as whole as possible...

visit the barclay prime's website here. more pics, menus, hours, etc.

(all photos courtesy sro)

the comcast corporation has big plans for philly...

started in january and continuing through the fall of 2007, developer liberty property trust (liberty one, the kimmel center) along with architect robert a.m. stern (10 rittenhouse) are working on philly's newest, tallest building- the comcast center. at an estimated cost of $465m the 57 story comcast headquarters will come complete with a 1/2 acre park, new suburban station train terminal, as well as a giant, overscaled atrium. if that wasn't enough of an undertaking, the parties involved want to also make it the world's tallest green building. a platinum designation by the leading certification body, leadership in energy and environmental design (LEED), would make the comcast center not only superbly efficient and unobtrusive, but also bring a great deal of attention (and money) to the philadelphia marketplace.

there's a certain fad quality to the green movement, but in the end, it IS good design afterall. green principles seek to:

Enhance and protect ecosystems and biodiversity

Improve air and water quality

Reduce solid waste

Conserve natural resources

Reduce operating costs

Enhance asset value and profits

Improve employee productivity and satisfaction

Optimize life-cycle economic performance

Improve air, thermal and acoustic environments

Enhance occupant comfort and health

Minimize strain on local infrastructure

Contribute to overall quality of life

while no stranger to controversy, the comcast project is again confronted with opposition: the local plumber's union refuses to install the "environmentally-friendly waste systems" (reads: toilets) needed to achieve eco-friendly status. apparently, the cost for installing the commodes is less than that of regular systems, which means less money for the disgruntled plumbers. L&I has voiced their own (really, quite inane) concerns that the waterless toilets may not be safe, despite their continued use in facilities around the world, including our own lovely state capital buildings.

city officials as well as local union reps stonewalled the inquirer with "no comments" all around, but the fight ticket of state government/big industry vs local officals/trade unions ensures this will no doubt be knock-down, drag-out match.

enjoy the show!

inquirer article #1
inquirer article #2
comcast center stats via philly skyline (great pics)
treehugger.com's editorial
LEED homepage
an interesting twist

the self-described mothership of design, design philadelphia (all lowercase, thank you) is "a catalyst for advancing the public's awareness of design exploration and innovation. design philadelphia unites the philadelphia design community through its multidisciplinary design project, exhibitions, and events."

so good, i think i'm gonna cry...

suffice to say, i am *extrememly* excited about this series of events. not only including keynote speakers like gaetano pesce, the project also hosts workshops, tours, auctions, presentations, book signings, and much much more. additionally, all of philly's design community will be turning out for the glitz and glamour- a great opportunity to network, see great design, and educate yourself all at once!

i've already requested off the entire week. :)

check the design philadelphia website for a schedule of events and info...

just busily preparing myself for a presentation... be sane again soon. ;)

find more info and pics:

city hall
masonic temple

does anyone know the name of the third building shown in the series? email me or post a note here if so... it's located on the south side of the 1400 block of chestnut.

thanks!

what does a city do to address its vacany crisis?

this is the question posed by landvisions, a philadelphia-based design collaborative just beginning its third phase of international competition. though a problem shared by all major u.s. cities, urban sprawl in philadelphia has reached epidemic levels. according to the landvisions site, over 40,000 properties totalling 900 acres make philadelphia the highest per-capita vacancy rate. landvisions "sponsors invite participants to suggest compelling ideas for Philadelphia's vacant land and imagine fantastic long-term solutions that inspire change and reshape urban and natural forms throughout the city."

so far, the competition's phase I and II have comprised public meetings, map and photo collation, competitor briefings, and most recently, actual juried presentations from an international pool of individuals and firms. from here, 5 finalists were selected who best illustrate the aims of the competiton. their ideas include:

-a chain of open public/private spaces, an almost park-sprawl
-the raising the underground network of rivers and channels
-the introduction of public farmland, including fauna and flora
-a corridor of bike paths linking newly-healed spaces
-a complete urban reforestation of abandoned lots

i can't possibly begin to detail the minutia of the competition, but find below some of the major sites to access fantastic pictures, info, facts, figures, maps, links, etc etc etc. happy surfing!

urban voids -offical competition site

philadelphia landvisions -philadelphia-based sponsor of the competition

philadelphia green -an urban greening program of the pa horticultural society

neighborhood transformation initiative -the city's response to vacancy and other land issues

city parks association -manages philly's public recreation areas

the first of ten new skyscrapers being built in philadelphia, the cira centre is 34 stories of crystalline office space, situated just behind 30th street station. completed within just the last few months, the building also is also recognized as the first new commerical skyscraper in 10 years as well as the first ever on the west side of the river. designed by cesar pelli & associates and managed by brandywine realty trust, the building's form dazzled everyone the day it was rolled out. but has it realized its ambition as a defiance of the center-city marketplace and crusader for the west?

i suppose only time will tell. keystone opportunity zone tax breaks and dechert llp's residency-endorsement aside, i'm still waiting for the cira centre to do something. i'm afraid to say it, but i think it may lack Soul.

i appreciate the mirrored glass. i enjoy the obtuse angles. and damnit if i don't think the lights may even have potential. in my walks to and from school, i'm warming up to the cira centre. i like how it disappears, reflecting the sky as it does during the day. (it could do without the overhead interior lighting at night, however.)

in the end, there exists no unifying principle. to me, it's just a bag of flashy tricks. even when i visited, the best pics i could get were those with the centre as a backdrop, a lustrous prop as it were, to the refined and stately 30th street station. is that the sum total of the cira centre's potential? hopefully not.

but still i remain ambivalent. maybe it's just out of context for the moment, alone on the west side of the tracks? perhaps it needs time to grow and settle in to the space? and maybe, just maybe there's something still up cesar's sleeve that will round out the design and make sense of it all.... ?


one day i may decide for or against. until then, feel free to browse the following:

cira centre website, (includes cliche voiceover and helpful mute button)
emporis, real estate profile
facilities.net, previews and some figures for the philly market