In the News

News Articles

From BBC Radio 4, January 20, 2009

The Center for Architecture's Executive Director, John Claypool, talks to the BBC's James Naughtie about the future - and past - of Philadelphia's infrastructure as Barack Obama takes office. Click to download MP3

From Architectural Record, July 31, 2008

The Philadelphia chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) recently opened the doors to its new Center for Architecture. The 8,000-square-foot center-located in an old factory near the downtown convention center-provides the growing chapter more space for offices, meetings, exhibitions, and its popular bookstore. One of the most noticeable advantages is a glazed storefront, which gives the center a public face. The AIA is sharing its new space with The Community Design Collaborative, an organization that helps nonprofits procure free design services. Read more at Architectural Record

From AIArchitect, July 25, 2008

How do you ... adaptively reuse a 100-year-old industrial loft space to become a state-of-the art architectural education center, component office, and meeting and gallery space for students, component members and staff, and the public? Read more at AIArchitect

From the Evening Bulletin, June 23, 2008

Philadelphia - With a continually changing physical appearance reflecting the city's multifaceted character, some of Philadelphia's longtime arts organizations continue to reside in historic buildings, while others stride boldly into new modern spaces. Read more at the Evening Bulletin

From the Philadelphia Inquirer, June 6, 2008

You could argue that Philadelphia already has an architecture museum: itself. The city boasts an architectural lineage longer and more varied than that of almost any other place in America, ranging from the Lilliputian colonial-era houses along Elfreth's Alley to the gargantuan, newly minted Comcast Center, the country's tallest green skyscraper. But wouldn't it be nice if you could survey the full spectrum of the city's building history all in one convenient spot? Read more at the Philadelphia Inquirer

From the Philadelphia Business Journal, May 15, 2006

The Philadelphia chapter of the American Institute of Architects is searching for a space that will give design professionals, community groups, developers and local government a place to work together on projects and tackle issues. Read more at the Philadelphia Business Journal

Press Releases

Create. Collaborate. Engage.
Center for Architecture to open on Arch Street this spring

Philadelphia (April 1, 2008) — Founded on the three core principals of public engagement, collaboration among design professionals, and championing design excellence, the Center for Architecture, AIA Philadelphia's charitable and educational arm, opened its doors at 1218 Arch Street, Philadelphia, in early June. The Center will serve as the new home for AIA Philadelphia, the AIA Bookstore and Design Center, and the Community Design Collaborative. This winter, AIA Philadelphia and the AIA Bookstore left their longtime homes in the Architects Building, where the Chapter resided since the late 1920s, to make way for a Kimpton Hotel. Read more.

Center for Architecture and Preservation Alliance present Architectural Walking Tours and Philadelphia Architecture Lecture Series

Philadelphia (March 5, 2008) — Philadelphia’s long-running and much-loved architectural walking tours and lecture series will be presented this year by, respectively, the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia and the Center for Architecture. Building Philadelphia is the new name for the Philadelphia Architecture lecture series. Both the lectures and architectural walking tours originated at the Foundation for Architecture in 1986. Last presented by the Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks, the tours and lectures have enhanced understanding of the region’s architectural heritage for thousands of participants and have received awards and accolades. Read more.

Center for Architecture presents Building Philadelphia 10-part lecture series

Philadelphia (March 5, 2008) — Philadelphia’s Center for Architecture presents a new lecture series on everything you always wanted to know about Philadelphia architecture and city planning, but were afraid to ask. Read more.

Center for Architecture, Norwegian Consulate present Detour: Code arkitektur lecture and discussion

Philadelphia (March 18, 2008) — The Center for Architecture and the Royal Norwegian Consulate General will present a lecture with Henning Kaland, founding partner of Norwegian architecture firm Code, Tuesday, March 31, 2009, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Center for Architecture (1218 Arch Street, Philadelphia). The lecture is free and is being held in conjunction with the exhibition Detour: Architecture and Design Along 18 National Tourist Routes, scheduled to be on view at the Center this summer. Read more.

The Ed Bacon Foundation and the Center for Architecture Present the Fourth Annual Ed Bacon Student Design Competition

Philadelphia (July 14, 2008) — Brown to Green challenges students across North America to create a new vision for South Philadelphia's Grays Ferry Crescent. With the industrial DuPont Marshall Laboratory complex closing down and the Schuylkill River Development Corporation extending its riverfront park trail along the edge of the site, this area offers strong potential, but also great challenges. The competition gives students the opportunity to push the envelope on cutting-edge ideas for transforming brownfields of an industrial past into sustainable environs for a green future. Read more.