Design

33 results
Page 2
The entrance to Cellblock Three and possibly your nightmares. (Photo courtesy of Eastern State Penitentiary)

New visiting hours at Eastern State Penitentiary's hospital block

An old prison wing sees new light

The former prison has been gradually restored and reopened since it was shut down in the early 1970s. It’s a treasure to hold dear in a city plagued by preservation crises. Jared Brey goes inside.
Jared Brey

Jared Brey

Articles 3 minute read
View overlooking PMA's planned Forum. (Architectural rendering by Gehry Partners, courtesy of Philadelphia Museum of Art)

Frank Gehry's Philadelphia Museum of Art master plan

Letting in the light

Frank Gehry’s redesign at the Philadelphia Museum of Art goes far beyond what was envisioned when he was hired. After an official groundbreaking ceremony, Gehry discussed the details. Steve Cohen considers.
Steve Cohen

Steve Cohen

Articles 4 minute read
A Calder-designed grave at Laurel Hill. (Photo by Anndee Hochman)

Laurel Hill Cemetery's 'Hot Spots and Storied Plots' tour

Days of the dead

Spooky season is upon us, so make the most of it and tour Laurel Hill Cemetery's 'Hot Spots and Storied Plots.' Anndee Hochman tells you what you can expect to find (but prepare for the unexpected).
Anndee Hochman

Anndee Hochman

Articles 5 minute read
The LDS temple is in the city but not of it. (Photo courtesy of Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)

Touring Philadelphia's new Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

It's latter days for public viewing of the new LDS temple

After September 9, 2016, non-Mormons won't be allowed inside Philly's newly constructed temple. Judy Weightman visits and considers the implications.
Judy Weightman

Judy Weightman

Articles 5 minute read
"Just" a suit: Gilbert Adrian suit, c. 1947. FHCC purchase. (Photo by Michael J. Shepherd)

Immortal Beauty: Fashion history at Drexel's Pearlstein Gallery

Dressing for (a show of) success

Most of the clothes on display in Immortal Beauty are formal/special-occasion clothing, since that, not day-to-day garb, is what people treasure and preserve. The specificity of what those occasions were serves to illuminate the changes in women’s lives since the Civil War.
Judy Weightman

Judy Weightman

Articles 4 minute read
All you need is Love. (Photo by Smallbones via Creative Commons/Wikipedia)

The Love Park redesign

No love for Love

If we continue down our current track, the new Love Park may look more attractive for a few years, but it would surely fare no better than the current one at becoming a lively and inclusive urban space and withstanding the test of time.
Gregory Heller

Gregory Heller

Articles 7 minute read

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An urban oasis. (All photographs ©Bradley Maule; used by permission)

Anticipating the rebirth of Grays Ferry

What would it take for a neighborhood this convenient to Center City and University City to emerge from its stagnation — especially against the backdrop of so much development activity happening in nearby neighborhoods?
Gregory Heller

Gregory Heller

Articles 13 minute read
The Justice Center under construction (photo via buckscounty.org)

The Bucks County Justice Center

Who is a courthouse for?

As anyone familiar with the Socratic method of legal learning will know, any judging of the new courthouse and any courthouse must begin with the question of who exactly is the building for.
Joseph Glantz

Joseph Glantz

Articles 4 minute read
Go ahead, try to get to Swann Fountain! (photo by the author)

Philadelphia's Benjamin Franklin Parkway

The Parkway is a disaster — let's fix it!

Does the Parkway really deserve a multiyear celebration of its upcoming centennial? No. Why? Because, as hard as it may be to admit, the Parkway was a mistake.
Gregory Heller

Gregory Heller

Articles 9 minute read
Kids love it. (photo via centercityphila.org)

Dilworth Park

Is Philly ready for greatness? Maybe, maybe not

Dilworth Park is better than the old Dilworth Plaza. But it also isn't great.
Gregory Heller

Gregory Heller

Articles 6 minute read