philly, by design

birds, bunnies and deer, oh my

2007-10-06T07:26:00.001-05:00

enough already, the novelty's worn off folks...

these woodland creatures now grace pillow prints, wall decals, night lights, tshirts, paper graphics, woolen accessories, tatoos, wallets, jewelry, bottle stoppers, street graffiti, and assorted tchatchkes all. cute and fluffy as they are, i'm afraid the population explosion is too much for the design ecosystem to handle... obviously a controlled killing is the only option.

i'm sorry, but it's really for the best.

welcome to hell

2007-08-27T14:31:00.000-05:00

ergopod 500
"programmers, CAD workers, graphic designers or special needs individuals now have the ideal station for hours at the computer"

brand loyalty?

2007-08-23T15:21:00.000-05:00

not fooling anybody
a chronicle of bad conversions and storefronts past

random house

2007-08-20T21:23:00.001-05:00

for sale in south kensington...

i should have been looking for water damage. oh well.

green screen

2007-08-10T08:19:00.000-05:00

"If Google had a black screen, taking in account the huge number of page views, according to calculations, 750 mega watts/hour per year would be saved."

blackle

pretty

2007-07-31T16:24:00.000-05:00

in pink.

out of site

2007-07-25T11:19:00.000-05:00

how big was that number?

statistics made visual

big green building

2007-07-20T12:54:00.001-05:00

A sustainability research facility with real-world product testing... in Philadelphia, really?

"Urban Green Partnership’s Big Green Building is 80,000 square feet, 8-story building with underground parking, retail, office and residential units, research lab and a community garden. The entire building is self-sustaining so it will consume the energy it creates."

Of course, they have to tear up the local community garden to make way for the big green building. Philly, gotta love it here... ;)

Urban Green Partnership
Big Green Building

mr kim says- hip hop extraordinaire

2007-07-17T08:24:00.000-05:00

"sf visit"

mr kim says
a left coast journalist/promoter chronicles his life. links to dozens of great sites throughout, decent pics and vids, as well as events, reviews, and promotions. graphic, clear, and an altogether easy read. good stuff.

ending-start

2007-06-10T08:08:00.000-05:00

3 years and $75,000 later...

the award for an outstanding thesis goes to: "center for change: using local resources to create a space for art"

very, very nice. :) too bad it doesn't come with a job offer though...
_____________________________________________________

so one project down, and now another beings: this appropriately-titled blog o mine has focused on philly's design scene exclusively from the start. all the while, my magazine collection, favorties folder (bookmarks on mac, of course) and hand-/digitally-written notes to myself have grown steadily with international design-related sites over the last few years... and so the future of this thing is going to be a lot more stream of consicousness (ie less words/more pictures) and as a consequence, a lot less local-only too...

but fear not, i'm not completely giving up on the city. there's still going to be some philly bits scattered around... they'll just be mixed with other items i come across. new and old, recycled and fresh, digital, print, and in person, i think it's going to be a good time for you and for me. :) stay tuned.

urbn hq

2007-04-30T21:56:00.000-05:00

building 543 highlighted for an easy read...

the last and certainly not least in my furniture show/navy yard/saturday afternoon wandering series. get your coffee now, this one's less of a soundbite... ;)

a former shipbuilding factory situated on the mucky coastline of the delaware has been reinvented as a modern hipster mecca of sorts. outgrowing their offices with an expanding set of brands, urban outfitters recently moved from a classically styled building at 17th/locust to their biggie-sized space in the navy yard. the new headquarters features not only offices, meeting rooms, and certainly a sea of workstations, but also a boutique retail store, public cafeteria, lounge areas, and what office wouldn't want a koi pond too? sure, why not... design studios for their major labels- urbn, free people, and anthropologie are housed in a communal grouping of buildings nearby. equally impressive, for sure, but just too much info for my short attention span. ;)

did you know the billion-a-year urbn enterprise was founded in west philly some 25ish years ago? now you do.

a repurposed water heater, abandoned rail tracks, shiny new facade and all around fantastic zen landscape lead me to the unlocked/unsecured front door of building 543. completed by d.i.r.t. studio as part of the adaptive reuse project, the brand's identity and new setting merge oh so nicely. a really outstanding piece of work with languid pools of rough stone, i-beams as luminaire housing, and waste-filtering trees bordering the former naval warehouses. "waste become the design fodder of the future" pretty much sums up their schtik and makes a whole hell of a lot of sense too. did someone say thesis project?

stumbling around the site openmouthed and giddy, i somehow managed to find my way inside the hq. (the unlocked and unsecured door didn't hurt either.) walking in on the interior design was just such a thrill. i'm a longtime fan of the bohemian-shiek style of urbn stores and this space is no different. the old and the new overlap one another throughout while a touch of whimsy balances it all (did i really just use that word?). some highlights:

an industrial-finished gallery wall for photography

the aforementioned koi pond with wood block stumps set about

a hanging plant garden, ship anchor chain and hot pink mural at the entryway

display stands with i-beam overhangs and pendant lights just a little too cute and fussy for this guy

circulation megastair in concrete and steel

bark-bare sapling logs as screening (found objects?)

salvaged signage, materials, and other such items scattered throughout

while ms&r architects certainly did a fine job, the departure from their longtime collaboraters in otto design group is at once notable and peculiar. was the scale of the spaces perceived as too much for a small studio accustomed to retail stores? was the extent of the adaptive reuse more familiar for the midwest architects? was it simply or a mater of changing directions or was there a falling out between the two parties? i've no idea, and this isn't a gossip column afterall...

what is clear is that the overall look of urbn, created and developed by odg over the years remains intact. (a tribute to their forethought and skill, definitely.) in my mind, however, there are subtle issues with execution. most striking is the lack of design vignettes within the space. with the exception of the pond, most of the other zones are isolated and feel somehow incomplete (not the use of grayscale-color contrast in my pics. it's not just for effect, it also helps you to focus.) morevoer, urban's long history of art-architecture-design seems to flow less readily in this interior. architecture takes obvious precedent here, maybe for the setting, but still slightly uncomfortably so. a few placements of furniture and a simply graphic mural don't offer much in the way of at-ease-ment for me, especially in the overwhelming volume of the space. perhaps these despartures are intentional as the environment is meant for work, not merchandising? and of course too i only trespas- *ahem* wandered in the main space, not the flanking offices... so another investigation may reveal more information.

whatever the case may be, even these critiques fall away when you realize it's a commercial office setting. not quite a cube farm, with glaring fluorescents and drop ceilings most of use are used to. suffice to say i'm sure i could get over the fussy pendants if i had to... ;)

msr architects- minnesota/maryland based arch-design firm with many more pics of the urbn site

dump it right there studio- i like the abbreviated name better, but good god you've got to check out their work

otto design group- multidisciplinary design studio in old city

metropolis magazine- an article on the new urbn hq by ms. niga saffron, arch critic for the philly inq..... who knew my lil o' blog was so cutting edge?? ;)

philadelphia naval yard

2007-04-13T13:01:00.000-05:00

taking a stroll in the furniture show surrounds...

red brick on an overcast day can make any photo look great. ;)

it's funny how something can be right under your nose and you never notice it. i'd heard about the naval yard for years now, imagining a post-industrial wasteland of oversized warehouse shells rusting off the river. but what i found was more a labrynth of classically-styled buldings nestled in what i can't help but describe as a... Community. who knew!

the buildings are rather nice, don't you think? a bit on the dinosaur size, but perfect for subdivision, event hosting (ala the furniture show) or even an urban outfitters headquarters. but more on that another time...

a bit of background research lead to more discoveries. apparently the setting has been declared a KIZ (i for innovation, not o for opportunity, natch) which sets it up for all manner of tax credits, grants, and development opportunities. besides the shipyard, marina, and historic core, the naval yard also has a corporate center, research park, nearby sports complexes, restaurants, and retail outlets as well. oh and- let's not forget their very own pulled pork stand too, who could ask for anything more?

navy yard website- includes information on history, master plan, future development and even a newsletter.

the center for land use interpretation links and some more info, but their pictures aren't nearly as nice as mine. ;)

dirt studio- just a teaser for now, more on this fantastic bunch soon enough

philadelphia furniture show

2007-03-26T21:11:00.001-05:00

a picture says a thousand words?

ugh.

uhh...

*&^$%???

whee!

holy!

oh!

bahdeebahdu- putting other vendors to shame since 2001 (and a damn find place to work too) ;)

design philadelphia 07

2007-03-17T13:19:00.000-05:00

it's that time of year again...

(consider this a prequel to the run of posts i'm planning in the days ahead...)

combining design, art, and architecture, this year's event has over 50 participating firms, studios, artsits, architects, online/print journals, retail venues, landscaper architects, industrial-interior-graphic designers, universities, galleries, and organizations hosting tours, lectures, exhibits, workshops, open studios, openings........ well, you get the idea. it's kind of a big deal. ;)

runs april 12-22, most events free and open to the public. very nice.

designphiladelphia website- one stop shopping for pics, calendar, events, and links too. good times.

(pics from the site itself, thankyouverymuch)

the arden theater

2007-02-22T21:19:00.000-05:00

a better case study for my thesis couldn't be found...

large, attractive signage/street presence

humble materials, a mix of old and new

circulation as a defining element

spacious interior

wayfinding designated by color

black box style- a versatile floor & lighting plan

the further i delve into my thesis project, the more i realize that theaters are a special building type all their own. with elements of both retail and arts spaces, these cultural centers are a hybrid of the two, but in many ways act like neither. operating at capacity for up to10 shows a week, even smaller stages must manage large-scale issues (like crowds, advertising, and code regulations) with both finesse and apparent ease. all in all, i'm developing a great deal of respect for people who dedicate themselves to theater design...

a recent tour of the arden offered some great insight and backed up my own research. i went during the day when it was empty, but hope to return on a show night for a different perspective...

walking into the arden, my first impression was how much larger the space appears than from outside. planning for both comfort and safety, circulation is a pressing issue in theater design. as lobby spaces often seem voluminous when not in use, many designs feature interesting ceiling plans or lighting to draw the eye to other elements within. the arden is rather spare in this regard, though a central stair serves as a focal point. simple wood and steel, the opening doesn't face the exit, but rather the back. i'm not sure why it was planned in this way, other than possibly to create a more relaxing space (ie so you don't feel pushed out the door).

another item of note are bold blocks of color that indicate entrances to performance space and large avenues and openings designate restrooms and exits. wayfinding (which means exactly as it sounds) is apparent without graphics or other such signage in this case. a very important detail, so i've read.

additionally, in a space where the focus should be on the actors, the arden's simple materials and bold architecture serve the theater well. moreover, mixing old and new elements gives the theater a historical, established presence. the combination of these factors offers cost savings to the business owner, which can be passed along to performers, their shows, and the attendees alike.

the arden's trademark black box theaters seem to be the ideal for smaller troupes and shows. the term "black box" means just that- a simple, dark room with no fixed walls or built-ins. this makes the space easier to outfit and change from show to show. proscenium stages (like the one you probably had in high school), are the traditional standard and seem to be making their way back en vogue though. all in all there's not much to say about these no-frills portions of the arden; to my untrained/nonperformer eye they appear... sufficient.

from what little i do know about designing public spaces, i do have a couple of critiques...

no vestibule means both cold and hot air can sweep through the space unhindered, upping costs and making for an uncomfortable intermission
only a very small overhang protects theatergoers from the elements, pre-theater lines and smoke breaks can't be fun in bad weather
this is relatively minor, but the box office could be played up and/or integrated in the space a bit more. right now it's just drywall and windows... ho-hum.

all in all, a very successful trip, i'd say. thanks to meghan and the rest of the staff at the arden for the tour and all their help... (more info below)

arden theater website - for showtimes, reviews, workshops, and pictures galore

kieran timberlake associates- local, progressive architects in charge of recent renovations... who knew philly had such cutting-edge designers...

further reading:
"building for the arts, a guidebook for the planning and design of cultural facilities"- for the layman, everything from design & financial worksheets to drumming up community support and surveying local arts organizations

"building type basics for performing arts"- architect-focused space planning, materials, acoustics, lighitng, and codes

(last photo from kta website)

all said and done

2007-02-18T11:55:00.000-05:00

well, for the research phase, anyway...

50 pages and hours of lost sleep later, i presented my thesis paper earlier this month to a jury of professionals. in the end, my research on the university of alabama's rural studio culminated in a program staged in and applied to metropolitan philadelphia. i'm calling it the "urban studio," and it's mission is to design and build spaces for local community design collaboratives (CDC's). it follows the ideals of the rural studio pretty well, i think, and incoproates all my other research on suburban sprawl, urban blight, and consequential revitalization efforts.

my particular project will be to create a community theater for the kensington neighborhood. the idea is to design a space for economic and social development in collaboration with the new kensington CDC, who are in the process of exploring a similar project. my theater will add on a a bookstore/cafe to make the building mixed-use and functional throughout the day... all in all, the idea was received pretty well, and the next few months will involve fleshing out the design and detailing of the space itself. more to come/more to see...

the nkcdc's new site

the rural studio homepage

upenn's neighborhood base- a nifty site for philly census info arranged in chart and map form. check out their mural, crime, and parcel base links too.

spirit newspapers- serving fishtown, kesington, and port richmond

dictionary.com- for help deciphering all the design vocab above ;)

thesis- fishtown community center

2007-01-15T16:13:00.000-05:00

lil help? see below...

writing a thesis on community-based design in philly... wheee!

after a great deal of research, i'm going with a mixed-use community center centered in fishtown for my topic... mixed-use means there would be a community center with other functions included in the same space (retail, commercial, residential, etc)... at this point, i'm beginning the program and site selection phases of the process, which includes developing the type, scope, and location for my final design.

here's where you come in...

what type of space would you like to see in good ol' fishtown? grocery store, coffee shop, restaurant, bar, book store, movie theater, clothing store? (these are just suggestions, please feel free to give me other options.) also, any other ideas you may have in terms of location or even design specifics are very much welcome.

you can email me via the link on your right, or use the phillyblog link below to comment ... thank you thank you thank you. ;)

phillyblog thread

some more info, for your reading pleasure:

philly on wikipedia

philly's nti

new kensington cdc

the divine lorraine

2006-12-03T14:31:00.000-05:00

deconstruction in progress...

wanna see the place in person? email me for details...

provenance salvage company website - great all-around. find links, pics, history, and literally tons of salvaged items to buy

city paper article - the city's angle

more photos o' mine - used all of my camera's memory for this one ;)

design at the art museum

2006-11-23T23:32:00.000-05:00

and some semi-self promotion...

"collab is a collaboration of design professionals supporting the modern and contemporary design collections at the philadelphia museum of art. a volunteer committee founded in 1970, collab is dedicated to enriching the museum’s collections with outstanding examples of mass-produced and unique designs, and to making the collections accessible to the general public, students, and the design community."

every year, collab sponsors a student design competition based on their design excellence award recipient... this time around was george jensen, a silversmith of yore whose company still thrives today. utilizing the theme "intelligent ornament," entries from all along the east coast were evaluated. some pretty amazing stuff, that. favorites include a ring that decomposes over time, a subcutaneous brooch, and a woven metal headscarf. winners and other selections are on display alongside jensen's work from now until the end of march... enjoy!

jensen at the pma

george jensen homepage

sidebar- while my gps/pendant necklace didn't win the judges hearts (aww so sad), my presentation board apparently showed some merit: it's in daffy's art window. :)

everything that's wrong with america

2006-11-14T10:46:00.000-05:00

grouped on just a few acres in lovely philadelphia...

1. toll brothers

2. gated communities

3. obnoxious signage

4. rubber stamp design

5. urban "renewal"

6. rich white people

philly independent media center - "a disturbing pattern of manipulation and hardball tactics" yikes.

phily blog - locals speak out, good times

the mad pigeon - article on the mcmansion expansion

anti-toll bro blog - need i say more?

toll bro site - evil resides in horsham, apparently

studies of organized living

2006-10-24T09:07:00.000-05:00

this isn't something you see everyday...

"It is the life of this order that I am most interested in; finding it among the ruins of everyday happenings is my comforting obsession."

-leslie mutchler

a collage of pottery barn and pier one catalogue pics reinvented into a psychological treatise on art... pretty damn cool.

what leslie manages isn't unlike what warhol did with campbell soup cans. though instead of graphics as art, she's transformed industrial designs as graphics... neat. expect to see this design-as-art trend open up in the months and years to come. personally, i can't wait. ;)

the painted bride art center- opening reception on 11/3/06 from 5-7pm

artist's page on inliquid- more pictures and contact info

(all pics courtesy inliquid.com)

change in program

2006-10-16T16:01:00.000-05:00

thesis year begins...

and so ends phase 1 of this bloggity blog. so sad, so sad.

i'll continue, however, with a more thesis-based study here.... stay tuned for questions, answers, pictures, faces, places, facts and figures in my travels. it won't all be fun and games, but i'll try to keep it interesting at least.

not only will it give me a organizing principle to work around, but my year-end project coincidentally requires a local space... *raises eyebrow* so like it says in the banner, i'm still a local boy/design nut engaging the city of brotherly love. good times.

a hint at my thesis below, more to come...

auburn university's rural studio

haunted places/forgotten spaces

2006-09-12T08:00:00.000-05:00

found along the schuykill river trail...

mad mad entropy... i like how some of the hard architectural lines remain despite the softening from the encroaching surrounds. even more so, the grafitti adds a great element to the dynamic, complicating the issue of old versus new... the wear and wholly apparent aging of it all really makes the whole thing work.

ok ok, enough with the academia... ;)

i couldn't post them all, so see more images here if you're so inclined. enjoy!

retreat

2006-08-26T09:03:00.000-05:00

how many of your bosses give you the keys to their country home, hmm?

last weekend was spent in a cozy hamlet situated between stroudsburg and jim thorpe (that's coal country to those in the know). a nearby stream, huge flea market, and a home chock full of amenities made it one to remember.

in the interest of objectivity, i'll let the pictures speak for themselves... suffice it to say the place is fan-friggin-tastic. thanks to rj/warren for the hospitality. ;)

sunday in the park

2006-08-15T11:05:00.000-05:00

introducing fairmount's strawberry mansion & mount pleasant...

traditional parlor

best bedroom ever

unfurnished study

triparte window, hallway

study house, undergoing renovation

just two of eight villas, available for tours through december...

more:
fairmount park website- pics, history, and info for dozens of other park homes/buildings

fairmount park trust- how to adopt or be a caretaker for a historic property... (which really is pretty damned cool if you ask me.)

enjoy.

gallery 339

2006-08-10T09:56:00.000-05:00

details details details...

yeah, that last picture isn't mine. nice though, huh? ;)

"philly's only fine art photography gallery," 339's most recent incarnation opened just last year. a former apothecary and ice cream parlor, the space was a cored-out shell when architects came onto the scene. little more than the masonry and a hole in the floor where stairs used to be, according to principal martin mcnamara... nothing like starting with a clean slate, right?

the multidisciplinary architecture team of qb3 (sense a trend here?) originally was asked to design just the central stair, though their skill in this regard prompted a full-time gig with the project. speaking of circulation, this one's a beauty: glass, polished steel, and a rich, dark wood orchestrate movement through the space that's both elegant and sensible. and like the tagline above says, the details! my oh my, simply stunning...

the traditional white cube gallery remains intact here, but departs in the most subtle manner. besides the staircase, 339 also features 180-degree pivoting display "pages" in the front, savvy materiality transitions to designate space, and an understated relationship of in/outside. this sophisticated interplay alongside fine art photography has a way, i believe, of elevating both. not only offering the art a suitable space in which to be viewed, but likewise furnishing the space with work of an appropriate brilliance...

plus they've got some real neat-o photos too! besides national trendsetters, local heroes are featured as well: sara stolfa's curtain call will be held at 339 in september. see below for details.

gallery 339 homepage- hours, exhibits, pictures, and more... ms. stolfa's work can be seen under the artists link.

qb3 site- architecture-graphic-industrial designers extraordinaire. pretty pictures too. enjoy. ;)

multi moto

2006-07-31T15:01:00.000-05:00

lookee what's hiding out in north philly...

(thesis house construction)

(exterior)

(interior)

their frontier approach is just one aspect of moto that i like. the sophisticated use of humble materials, delicate bows to eames-era modernism, and their novel concept of space are amongst others. and did i mention these are rather recent grads too? good stuff.

what's more, the shop's just one of 3 blended ingredients that form what we in da biz call a multidisciplinary approach to design... usually composed of the arch-interior-graphic factions, moto and its collaborators instead go with arch-web-build, which makes a hell of a lot of sense and produces some rather stunning results...

following the processes of design from concept to full completion (that's the build part, natch), this team's managed to keep their specialties secure, their budgets low, and their creativity intact. and like i said, it just makes sense. you have one body creating the marketing & presentation materials, a second laying out the concept & specifications, and the third follows through in the construction phases. as a collective, this troupe can thrive where others may falter and fail. pretty damn smart, if you ask me.

check out motos' and their partners' work below:

agito design

20/2 collaborative- moto's new web address as of 2/15/07

(photos courtesy moto design shop)

the continental midtown (sorry, stephen)

2006-07-18T13:38:00.000-05:00

maybe it looked better on paper?

i don't even know where to begin with this...

3-floors of sheer design monstrosity, the continental midtown is credited with breathing new life into what was once an ailing chestnut street corridor. however garrish, tacky, and all around obnoxious the life may be, you can't deny there's more of it. (if you've ever been around on a friday or saturday night, you know exactly what i mean.)

outside, the midtown announces itself with an oversized arrow paired with a martini olive, a nod to the original continental's pendant fixtures. out-of-place hexagonal red tiles backdrop flimsy-looking table-chair sets and a couple (2) ferns in plastic containers for a sad-looking street view. on the second tier, a series of new circular windows (installed a full year after opening, oops) sit in what appear to be square cutouts... ? double oops. the third floor shows very clearly the office within at night while the top floor houses some thirsty-looking plants and a large sky lounge/bar... about which i oddly don't have anything bad to say. go fig.

entering the space, please be careful not to get caught behind the automatic-sliding-door-vestibule/airlock, which will invetibly happen if there's even one person waiting at the host station. not sure why it's so damn close to the front door, unless maybe that was an afterthought too? likely so. whatever the case may be, once inside the double-story space announces itself quite well: mod-green booths line the perimeter wall, a sunken floor holds several large banquets in the center, and a colorful glass-globe chandelier drops down from above. the retro vibe is apparent and wholly kitsch, but fun nonetheless.

you may notice, however, a few mis-steps in the first floor design. like those same outdoor tables now oddly clustered in the back of the room (surely a buzzkill to any would-be scenester). or maybe your eyes caught the glittered popcorn, yes popcorn, ceiling. and did you take note of the waiting guests standing against the stairwall? perfectly in the way of servers running food around a blind corner. and my, that sunken space in the middle is awfully large, isn't it? yes, it is.

on the second floor, most apparent are the large, hanging, wicker.. basket... chairs? wicker.hanging.moving.seats.... eating / drinking / moving / digesting... ? i just don't get it.

there's also banquet seating here, which makes sense in the space. and they would work well, if only they could get the seat heights match. it's a quietly disturbing sensation to be at 30" off the floor while your dining companion is at 36". you should try it sometime. or not.

ok, in the back there's carpet on the ceiling, a few plastic animal-like seats, and some mildly interesting tables too. sorry, i'm getting tired here...

let's finish our complaints in bullets:

an elevator that only holds six, doesn't stop at the second floor, and is remarkably slow.

servers in clothes at least 3 sizes too short/small. can you say overhang??

less offensive, but equally annoying: 6 barstools in a space that could easily hold 12.

bathrooms with two-way mirrors OR scuzzy carwash flap entryways- your choice!

vibrating buzzers for waiting guests ala the olive garden. now that's hospitaliano.

last but not least: THIS ISN'T MIDTOWN!

umm, sooo.... i like their mashed potatoes?

more stuff:

stokes architecture- should have their good taste license suspended. bad architect! BAD.

continental midtown website- yep, that's them.

(some photos courtesy sro. oops.)

first friday fun @ the fabric workshop

2006-07-08T13:57:00.000-05:00

oh my my my my my my my...

blacklight danny partridge prints in the bathroom, umbrellas hanging down from above, fabric trim in lieu of soffits... fantastic stuff.

i'm embarrassed to say last night was my first glimpse at the fabric workshop & museum... unfortunate that until this point i've been missing out on all the fun. this is not old biddies knitting socks, people... creative, fresh-minded people- young and old, men and women- turn out some really great items here (in what i consider one of the better gallery spaces i've seen). and the people agree- last night was jampacked full of those in the know.

and i haven't even touched on the workshop's store, factory, or sidestage displays.

side note- louise bourgeois is the current exhibition, which includes both the obligatory fiberwork as well as a multimedia performance video. a very intriguing exhibit from an artist with a sculptural background... you may have noticed another work of hers in town recently- the giant spider on the steps of the art museum. absolute madness, i love it.

more info:

fabric workshop and museum website- mission statement, fantastic pics, reviews, artists-in-residence, how to support, their history, just tons and tons of useful info

philly weekly's recent article- the workshop et al vs the pa convention center spread

jorge pardo, the man behind their recent renovations- an artist/designer who gets it, very nice. ;)

iannone:sanderson

2006-06-27T08:24:00.000-05:00

ecostyle defined...

(signature 1.0 cabinet)

(custom, using reclaimed fir found on site)

(custom, complete with backlit bamboo resin panels)

"clean modern lines and a focus on environmentally-friendly materials" pretty much sums up the local design duo iannone:sanderson. featured at this years international contemporary furniture fair, the studio's innovative use of form and materials have been highlighted in several online and print publications. and for good reason: though green trends in design have been an recurrent theme in recent years, very few have been able to marry it with grace, style, and swagger like they have...

worth noting: the team is comprised of michael iannone and james sanderson, two young guys with a bfa in studio art and ba engineering/m.arch, respectively. educated out of state and building their biz here in philly, the two show that design doesn't have to be limited to select generations, degrees, or locales. very important to remember, if you ask me... are you hearin this, philly???

metropolis mag writeup

home and garden article

iannone:sanderson website- more links, photos, and bios too...

side stage- art for the cash poor

2006-06-11T19:26:00.000-05:00

business meets nonprofit in the art furniture experience. benefitting both inliquid and habitat for humanity, the exercise asked local artists to enhance a simple chair provided by dane decor...

not bad, though i think the the most successful item is the least likely to get a high bid:

there's a push-pull of form/function going on in each of the entries, which really is what separates art and design, afterall... functionally, an artist slapping a print on a chair isn't terribly exciting- the graphic entries look pretty enough, but don't say much... formally, on the other hand, transforming a chair with overwhelming materiality and a sense of it's own entropy is kinda smart. i'd buy it, but a $200 opening bid is a little off my price point. maybe next year... ;)

dane decor - local contemporary furniture

inliquid- local art community news, links, happenings, etc.

habitat for humanity

f.u.e.l. follow-up

2006-06-04T10:02:00.000-05:00

post-mtv, the seaman's church institute has a new lease on life...

very excited to see the reincarnation of the once-garrish mtv house. while a somewhat traditional white cube gallery, the historic elements of the former church (like marble mouldings and crystal chandelier) offset and enrich an otherwise spartan interior. further, these transitional bits also play on the work displayed, creating an interesting dialogue between space and subject.

hmm... i'm not sure the space is presently too large-scale, however. perhaps the addition of sculptural works, seating, or even a mock-foyer could help scale it down?

of course, the current exhibition is fantastic still. make sure to check out dustin kemper's work on the second floor- really something else, that.

previous post, pre-renovation- includes info on f.u.el., the church, more pics, etc.

avoidance tactics

2006-05-31T20:05:00.000-05:00

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

just 2 more weeks till freedom...

affordable art

2006-05-18T22:58:00.000-05:00

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

23rd & arch

2006-05-14T09:50:00.000-05:00

went on a recent scouting mission to check out the renovation...

(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

not your everyday remedy...

2006-05-10T18:45:00.000-05:00

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!

summer camp!

2006-05-01T21:25:00.000-05:00

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

(fiber arts)

(fine metals)

(ceramics)

i'm considering a summer course at peters valley, just to round out my design experience a bit (it gets a touch stuffy in the studio day in and day out, yaknow).

while my tastes have me mulling over "furniture design" versus "sculptureworks" as choices, you may find sexier titles like "kilns that will kill you," "experimental machine knitting," or "intimacy with metals" more to your liking. classes begin various times throughout the summer...

peters valley official site- class descriptions, pics, costs, schedules, etc etc etc

church of the new jerusalem aka swedenborgin church

2006-04-28T10:24:00.000-05:00

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 ;)

cadida hofer, must see

2006-04-23T23:52:00.000-05:00

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)

visual pollution

2006-04-23T11:28:00.000-05:00

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

red tettemer

2006-04-17T21:19:00.000-05:00

i had the opportunity to take a tour of advertising agency red tettemer recently, and oh my don't i wish i was a graphic designer... check out their space for yourself:

(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

bo concept

2006-04-07T10:48:00.000-05:00

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!)

don't forget!

2006-04-03T15:31:00.000-05:00

design philadelphia homepage

curio-ous?

2006-04-03T14:15:00.000-05:00

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!

barclay prime

2006-03-28T15:08:00.000-05:00

(lounge)

located right on rittenhouse square, the barclay prime is one of 12 stephen starr venues in philadelphia. primarily a steakhouse, the restaurant is situated in the barclay, a former hotel-turned-high end condo residence.

a belated birthday dinner had me at the barclay prime last night (thanks mikey), and overall the experience was very good. designed by india mahdavi, the lounge and dining room have the flair and coloration of a classic 1960's spy flick: dark wood tones, creams, blacks, and the occasional lime green for pop... a great start.

walking in, you're immediately greeted with a host station flanked by a small dining area on the left and a lounge on the right. it's a rather comfortable space- open, airy, and not at all intimidating. the lounge and front dining area are both fully-panelled black walnut in a style that appears to be original to the historic building. further a black-and-white marble floor travels throughout. juxtaposed with these classic details are furnishings that have a much more modern slant: flat-upholstered leather chairs, eames-like green stools, as well as ottomans upholstered in a black & white geometric motif. several other pieces like the vintage tripartite mirror, zebra skin rug, and fabric-wrapped wall sconces help bridge the divergent eras.

(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)

union spoils

2006-03-26T13:22:00.000-05:00

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

design philadelphia

2006-03-14T19:47:00.000-05:00

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...

city hall and surrounds

2006-03-13T00:17:00.000-05:00

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!

urban voids

2006-03-09T14:33:00.000-05:00

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

cira centre

2006-03-08T16:01:00.000-05:00

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

eat, drink, and be merry

2006-03-07T23:44:00.000-05:00

whether it be dining out, cooking for myself/others, or even just grocery shopping, i love food. especially now, when my life is so rushed with work and studies, enjoying a meal that doesn't come out of a can or in a box is such a simple luxury... ahh.

though at first take you may not see any similarities between the two, food and design have a great deal in common: the best of each strive towards creative pairings, fine execution and display, as well as a certain flair for drama and surprise. color choices, scale, and spatial arrangement even follow the same fundamental theories.

while we've all read the standard foodie reviews online and in print, not much attention is given to how local restaurants look and function. whether or not you take notice, these items are as essential to your experience as the service and food. besides fostering the right atmosphere for a night out with your honey or friends, the design package of lighting, circulation, arrangement of space, scale, acoustics, etc also decide whether a new restaurant sinks or swims.

all this said, i'd like to give you my take on the local dining scene from a designer's perspective. not only marrying some of my favorites, the venture also gives me the chance to catch up with old friends, see more of what philly has to offer, and take a much-needed break from the experiment in poor nutrition that is graduate studies... ;)

on the menu in the days ahead: raw lounge, starr enterprises, marigold kitchen, loie, silk city diner, good dog, lolita, and more. stay tuned for updates...

seaman's church institute aka mtv house

2006-03-01T11:27:00.000-05:00

F.U.E.L. (Fostering Undergraduate Exposure on Location) is "a multifaceted collaboration of 'all things art.' geared toward the next generation of artists, F.U.E.L. showcases the original works of college students and young artisans."

housed in the former seaman's church institute, the group will be unveiling their RE-re-renovated space with opening exhibitions on 4/27 and 5/5. in case you missed ALL OF LAST YEAR (or you don't have cable... or you actually have taste in tv programming) mtv filmed the real world series at the same location in 2004, airing it in 2005.

some photos of the transformation:

pre-renovation. though in disrepair, the space is exceptional in scale and materiality.

post-renovation. pretty tacky, but i guess set design has different rules for color and staging?

post-mtv/pre-re-renovation. looks like they're going back to the institute's roots. a modern gallery space would fit in nicely with the great bones of the structure. my only hope is that they refurbish as much of the original as possible. you can't make buildings like this anymore...

i plan on posting the newest incarnation of the seaman's church institute in april. in the meantime. feel free to check out the following:

Real World Houses, a great site with tons of pictures and info.

MTV Real World flipbooks, house and philly scenes included.

F.U.E.L.'s renovation pics.

(photos courtesy of the sites listed above)

h&m expansion

2006-02-27T17:05:00.000-05:00

going up?

it seems h&m is updating its look this spring...

on a recent visit, construction was already noisily underway inside the space on 17th and chestnut streets. rumors indicate a much-needed second floor expansion has begun, and the awkward, center-plan construction wall seems to support those notions... could it possibly indicate a mezzanine, central stair, or both? is men's finally getting an equal share of the floor space?

we'll find out soon enough- construction ends this april.

busy busy busy

2006-02-23T13:18:00.000-05:00

(residential studio concept presentation)

midterms, an internship interview, and compiling my long-overdue portfolio had me a bit nutty this past week. but i survived, if just a little worse for wear. i think it's time for a drink. ;)

for those who want to update their own portfolio i suggest

Service Point USA
1321 Arch Street
215-567-0777

such nice guys, very helpful, and even a quick turnaround with my work. i had quite a few 32"x40" presentation pieces that they were able to scan and compress onto cd for me.

just one note, however- they ain't cheap! but then again, my portfolio (and the decent job it may one day grant me) means enough for that not to matter...

rindelaub's row

2006-02-14T23:20:00.000-05:00

a lengthy court battle of almost 7 years culminated in the razing of rindelaub's row this past weekend...

much more detailed info & pictures about the past, present, and future of the site to be found here.

lord & taylor turnover

2006-02-11T14:22:00.000-05:00

inside dressing room

while bargain shopping at Lord & Taylor yesterday (my birthday gift-hunt went south), i noticed the floor plan had changed, a number of new, fresh-faced employees were busily setting up displays, and more than one of the designer labels had seemingly vanished.

apparently, the same megacorp that bought the Strawbridges store on 7th and Market also took over it's sister, Lord & Taylor. Strawbridges will become Macy's, and Lord & Taylor, Bloomingdales. look for changeover to occur mid-march...

elevated bridge, university city

2006-02-08T14:52:00.000-05:00

just a quick couple photos for fun.

i've always liked this stretch of the amtrak (i think?) bridge near chestnut and 32nd. great materiality, repetition, shape, scale... worth noting too are the levels of contrast: heavy, massive pylons/thinner vetical supports, rectangular shapes/unfolding triangles, rusted metal/lush grass. even figuratively, if you want to go that far: in the summer students play touch football, soccer, or lacrosse on what i imagine was once a barren industrial site.

one of my favorite parts is the low stretcher marked "6-4 CLEAR." i'm not sure why, but maybe it somehow humanizes the structure? that for all of its weight and command it still addresses the person, something every type of design should consider...

birthday hunting

2006-02-05T14:13:00.000-05:00

i'm of the school that believes in celebrating birthdays to the fullest: you get a full week of partying, drinks bought on your particular night out, AND a thoughtful present too. (it's good to be my friend, no?)

so it's no suprise then that with three special b-days this week, i'm a bit out of sorts. not only aching for water (tequila shots, what?) but also time and ideas, i'm setting out tomorrow to hunt for those perfect gifts. below are a few stops on my list:

Foster's Urban Homeware
124 N 3rd St
- offers a variety of functional and simply aesthetic items, from kitchen stuffs to lamps to books to singing mechanical birds (remember Clash of the Titans' Boobo the Owl??) They also manage Foster's Gourmet Cookware @ Reading Terminal Market, which i may check out as well.

Open House
107 S 13th St
-another dual enterprise (Lolita's across the street is a *fantastic* mexican byo), Open House specializes in home furnishings and accesories, with items for baby, bath, and body as well. i'm especially fond of their wallbands and simple candle holders.

The PHAG Shop
252 S 12th St
-Philadelphia Home Art Garden presents a more-playful approach to gifting. a self-described "kitsch-ass" place to shop, novelty items abound in their space. magnet sets like Grow Up to be Gay, Mix n Match Virgin Mary, and their x-rated Mood Chart are just some of the highlights. more serious undertakings such as mirrors, frames, and garden accessories are also available.

Joseph Fox Book Shop
1724 Sansom St
- last, but certainly not least, Joseph Fox is a haven for dedicated designers, artists, and architects. here you'll find everything you could want for the creative individual and support your local bookstore at the same time. (eat that borders!) Out-of-print books and a well-read, helpful staff make the store a gem in the city.

that's all for now, wish me luck!

what's this all about?

2006-02-01T08:03:00.000-05:00

i am a designer. or, at least, soon will be. i suppose it's fairly similar to calling oneself an artist or musician... but, more on that later. what i mean to say is that i'm in school right now, but my eyes have already geared themselves to design, art, architecture, aesthetics, and the like.

here you'll find a random grab bag of pictures, thoughts, and observations about those subjects, specifically, in and around philadelphia.

why just philly?

my plan once was to get my degree, move far away, and in an incredibly short amount of time, amass obscene amounts of money (along with the requisite notoriety, fanbase, etc).

instead, i've decided to stay here. the national geographic endorsement and the new york time's "6th borough" article notwithstanding, i've been in philadelphia long enough to see some major changes occur: new skyscrapers, better neighborhoods, rising property values, building renovations, new businesses, fresh new people, new feel, the list goes on and on... so, it's worth hanging around to see what happens. what's more, i love this city, and i'd like very much to be a part of its future.

of course, i still expect the fame and fortune. ;)

enjoy the show
-k