Naturally, I was thrilled when ArchDaily came out with their Architecture City Guide for Philadelphia this week! Limited to twelve picks, the list includes recent notables such as the Comcast and Cira Centers, as well as residential gems like Split Level House and The Modules. All in all, it’s a great list of mostly recent architecture.
But what about the pioneers? The landmark works by legends such as Frank Furness, Louis Kahn, Eero Saarinen and Frank Lloyd Wright? It’s hard to imagine our city without their influence — it’s everywhere. And so I’ve added a few to the list — some classic, some contemporary and some everyday favorites. I’ve even included some not-yet-completed works. This is by no means an exhaustive list, however. (In a city this rich in architectural history, I fear that would be an impossible task.) But it’s a starting place — for learning, appreciating and exploring this cityscape we call home.
PHILADELPHIA NOTABLE ARCHITECTURE
- 1. Split Level House - Qb Design, 2009
2. Melvin J. and Claire Levine Hall at the University of Pennsylvania - KieranTimberlake, 2002
3. Comcast Center - Robert A. M. Stern Architects, 2008
4. Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts - Rafael Viñoly, 2001
5. Hill College House - Eero Saarinen, 1958
6. Fisher Fine Arts Library - Frank Furness, 1888-91
7. Rag Flats - Onion Flats, 2006
8. National Museum of American Jewish History - Ennead Architects, 2010
9. Bingham Court / Society Hill Townhouses – I.M. Pei, 1964
10. Society Hill Towers – I.M. Pei, 1964
11. Philadelphia Savings Fund Society (PSFS) / Lowes Hotel - George Howe and William Lescaze, 1932
12. Franklin Court / Ghost House – Robert Venturi, 1973-76
13. Beth Shalom Congregation – Frank Lloyd Wright, 1954
14. Richards Medical Research Laboratories – Louis Kahn, 1965
15. Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts – Frank Furness and George,1871-76
16. Skirkanich Hall - Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, 2007
17. Philadelphia City Hall – John McArthur, Jr.,1901
18. Barnes Foundation (on the Parkway) - Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects. Estimated opening - late 2011.
19. Philadelphia Museum of Art Expansion – Frank Gehry. Estimated opening 2015.
20. Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk - Michael Baker Engineers. Estimated opening 2013
What are your thoughts on the architecture of Philadelphia? What favorites are missing from the list?
MORE FAMOUS PHILLY HOMES
• AD Classics: Vanna Venturi House / Robert Venturi
• Esherick House by Louis Kahn
• Norman Fisher House / Louis Kahn
• Frank Furness in Ritt-Fit
Images: all as linked above, except 5. Additional image: Wikimedia Commons 9. Modern Homes Philadelphia 14. The Chronicle
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What about the horrible-yet-fascinating Robert Venturi Guild house? http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Guild_House.html
If you're going into future projects, why not go into the suburbs?
Frank Lloyd Wright's Suntop Homes:
http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Suntop_Homes.html
Louis Kahn's Erdman Hall:
http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Erdman_Hall_Dormitories.html
(The students at Bryn Mawr call it "The wrath of Kahn" because much more thought was put into the public spaces than the dorm rooms, to put it mildly.)
Wow, weird to see my old dorm on AT. The rooms in Hill House are miserably small.
Penn certainly seems to have its fair share of representation on this list. The Furness Library is a lovely space.
hah! Maureen is right. it's terrible, in a terrible part of town, but it's an important piece of modern architecture.
and you can't forget the Eastern State Penitentiary!
I'm just excited to see a post about Philadelphia!! Would love to see more - even a Philly scavenger!
Thanks for this article - I recently moved to philadelphia and am still trying to acquaint myself with the city.
and a philly scavenger would be amazing!!
Great list! I would add the Masonic Temple by James Windrim (if you've never taken a tour, you need to; the interior is amazing) and the Fairmont Park Water Works by Frederick Graff.
...or a full-blow Apartment Therapy Philadelphia!
Blown.... sorry!
Its great to see many of the great buildings of Philadelphia. I've always been a huge fan of Frank Furness, his designs are so distinctive and ornate. Years ago I saw a photo of his smoking room which was filled with bear hides and dead animal pelts in a very simple room....very different than what you would have expected his home to look like...guess it was his "man cave".
Love Philly...Please show more. Why no Apt. Therapy Philadelphia? That is just wrong. LOL
Philadelphia has magnificient Art Déco bulidings.
Thank you, thank you for showing the many treasures of our gorgeous city!
i echo the philly apartment therapy!
Also, Waterworks, Barberlin hall at St. Joe's University, the houses of Delancey St., the murals and glass mosaics around Bella Vista/Queens Village, the plaza at Jefferson and so many more
Another vote for more Philadelphia on Apartment Therapy!
Philadelphia is rich with historic architecture from 18th through the 20th centuries, with many pedigreed and equally brilliant, but relatively unknown, architects represented. See the Philadelphia Architects and Buildings Project:
http://www.philadelphiabuildings.org/pab/
Look up William Strickland, Addison Hutton, Horace Trumbauer, Mellor, Meigs & Howe, Wilson Eyre, George Hewitt, Samuel Sloane, Irwin Catherine, Edwin Durang, and many more..
See Also:
http://philly.brownstoner.com/botd/
Yo Philly!
As someone who worked for Venturi, Scott Brown & Associates for over a decade I have to put my vote in for the Vanna Venturi House and anything by Frank Furness. Unfortunately many of Furness's buildings are no longer with us. I suppose the Comcast Center is on the list because it is the tallest building in the City, but the only interesting thing about it are the screens in the lobby, otherwise it is a bore.
Northern Liberties' new One Shot location is AMAZING and so worthy of an AT post.
I was just wondering why there is no apartment therapy for Philly then I click on DC and get this. This is great! Society Hill would be amazing!
Another cheer for Apartment Therapy Philly!!
Hi all,
So glad you enjoyed the Philly love! :) For those that don't already know, at the moment all Philly related posts can be found in the DC category. (There's a rumor that in the future cities will be broken out more completely, but for now, DC's the place to look.)
Thanks to everyone for the spot-on suggestions missing from the list. There seems to be no end to the inspiration to be found in our fabulous city!
@PhillyDesign - Thanks for the tip, TOTALLY agree!