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Our Mission.

The Center for Architecture and Design's mission is to engage and educate the public about the importance of architecture and design to the quality of their lives. 

We strive to accomplish our mission through 3 main goals: (1) celebrate and promote the built environment and related design disciplines, (2) champion the value of thoughtful architecture & design and how it shapes the City of Philadelphia, and (3) connect the design community and general public through meaningful programming and education. Further, we leverage our physical space as the hub for the Philadelphia design community and the general public.


Our Values.

The Center believes that the power of design and creative problem solving is necessary to face the challenges before us all, therefore our value statements below will guide all of our programs and initiatives.

We believe every student should have access to design education.

We believe that designers are a critical part of our local economy.

We believe in the preservation and perpetuation of our City's design legacy.

We believe that a diverse design community is more responsive and accountable to the communities it designs for.

We believe that thoughtful design can inspire and empower people within their local communities.

We believe that connecting the general public and the design community helps solve some of the most pressing problems in our city.

Board of Directors


Board of Directors

Paul Avazier, AIA,
LEED AP BD+C, NCARB
|
President
Atkin Olshin Schade Architects

Elizabeth Class-Maldonado
VIce Chair,
Leadership Committee
Trust for Public Land, Pennsylvania

Robert Shuman,
AIA, LEED AP 

Treasurer, Leadership Committee
MGA Partners

Alan Jacobson 
Leadership Committee
ex;it

Alex FeldmanLeadership Committee
U3 Advisors

Karin Copeland
Create X Change

Richard J. Davies, Esq.
Milber Makris Plousadis & Seiden, LLP

Rob Fleming,
AIA, LEED AP, NOMA
University of Pennsylvania

Steven Gendler
MIS Capital

Michael Herrmann, PE
O'Donnell & Naccarato

Christine Hough
Langan

Alicia Karr
MEYER

Keith C. H. Mock, AIA
Ballinger

William W. McDowell, III
National Real Estate Development

Tom Normile, PE
Keast & Hood

Uchenna Okere
RevitGods

Stephen W. Pouppirt
Clemens Construction Co., Inc.

James W. Rowe, AIA
Agoos/Lovera Architects

Denise Thompson, AIA
Francis Cauffman

Kelly Vresilovic, 
AIA, LEED AP
CaVA architects

Staff

Rebecca Johnson
Executive Director

Michael Spain,
Associate AIA, NOMA
Director of Design Education

Jermaine Jenkins
Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships

Joe Martinelli
Finance Director

Liz Paul
Communications Director

Lois Sesskin
Events and Venue Sales Coordinator

Jelani Abdul-Aziz
Creative Projects Manager

Liza Niles
Program Manager of Design Education

Tiffany Mercer-Robbins
Communications Consultant

Preeti Reddy
DesignPhiladelphia Program and Communications Manager

Carly Clifford
Program Coordinator

Alice Wilson
Facilities Assistant

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