Tag: Modernism

Vanna Venturi House for Sale

July 15, 2015 / info@philachaptersah.org

Robert Venturi’s groundbreaking design for his mother is one of the most influential buildings of the latter half of the 20th century. Named one of the “10 Buildings That Changed America” and widely considered the first post-modern building in the United States, to say it is notable among architects is an understatement. Many world-renowned building designers and critics have made pilgrimages to this residence hidden in the heart of Chestnut Hill.

For more visit http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/8330-Millman-St_Philadelphia_PA_19118_M49270-07860?row=1

Vinyl, Plexiglas & Neon: Venturi, Scott Brown’s Transformation of St. Francis de Sales – a revealing history & conversation

April 14, 2015 / info@philachaptersah.org

Thursday, May 7, 2015 @ 6:00 p.m.
Auditorium of St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church
4625 Springfield Ave., University City, Philadelphia
Free and open to the public. No registration required.

In 1969, the Church of St. Francis de Sales – a landmark church in the Byzantine Revival style (Henry Dagit; 1907-08) – reopened after alterations that addressed changes to the Catholic Mass. Comprising elements built of vinyl, Plexiglas, and neon, the design by Robert Venturi & Denise Scott Brown was radical, controversial, and removed within a year by the parish. Now, after over 45 years, join us for a revealing conversation and tour about the project’s conception, execution, and the firestorm that ensued.

Landscape architect, Sue Weiler, will provide an introductory tour of the architecture of St. Francis de Sales, including its magnificent Guastavino dome; William Whitaker, curator of the Venturi, Scott Brown Collection at Penn’s Architectural Archives, will talk about the VSB design and the architecture of the period; and Father John McNamee, parish priest at the time of the change, will recall his role as pastor and client during a time of social change.

SAVE THE DATE FOR PHILA SAH SPRING PROGRAMS

April 12, 2015 / info@philachaptersah.org

The next Phila Chapter SAH program will be on the evening of Thursday, May 7. A tour of the Church of Saint Francis de Sales at 46th & Springfield Avenue with a discussion of the controversial “neon halo” and other renovations designed by Venturi Scott Brown. Chapter President Bill Whitaker is putting the finishing touches on the details which will be sent to Chapter members as soon as possible.

Also mark Thursday, June 11, on your calendar for a program at an amazing Victorian house, Oakbourne, in Westtown Twp, Chester County. We’ll have a reception followed by a talk on the home’s architect T. Roney Williamson. Details and registration information will be sent to Chapter members in early May.

Amazing Mid Century Modern Home For Sale

April 8, 2015 / info@philachaptersah.org

This wonderful 1958 mid century modern home, designed by architect and Philadelphia SAH member Irwin Stein, is for sale by the current owners who are looking for a buyer who will treasure it as much as they do. They are hosting an Open House on Sunday, April 12 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at 2 South Providence Road, Wallingford, PA.

Almost all of the original details are intact. The 2600 square foot house has 4 bedrooms, 2 full baths and one half bath. The attached 600 square foot office has four rooms and a powder room. It can easily be converted to an apartment.

The home is situated on .75 acres of land, has two patios and in another week the yard will be filled with over 1,000 daffodils. The interior boasts soaring ceilings, redwood paneling, tile and hardwood floors, ample natural light, two wood burning fireplaces, cove lighting and a gorgeous open staircase. The home has been featured on the cover of Atomic Ranch Magazine, on houzz.com and apartmenttherapy.com and was voted one of Philly’s “Amazing Spaces” in Philadelphia Magazine.

For more info visit http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2-S-Providence-Rd-Wallingford-PA-19086/92240976_zpid/

Pennsylvania Modern Architecture Juried Photo Exhibit

March 16, 2015 / info@philachaptersah.org

As part of The State Museum and Archives’ 50th anniversary commemoration, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) is hosting a juried photo exhibit at The State Museum focusing on Pennsylvania’s wide variety of modern architecture. Featured will be submissions of photographs that display examples of mid-20th century architecture constructed in Pennsylvania between 1930 and 1980. Entries may depict exteriors, interiors, and/or details of roadside architecture, schools, religious buildings, homes, commercial structures, recreational sites and other modern buildings. Entries will be received online through June 30, 2015. The exhibit will open to the public on Sunday, October 25, 2015, and close February 28, 2016.

We are currently seeking submissions via www.callforentry.org, a professional art entry website. Entries will be accepted through June 30, 2015.

For more information and a complete list of official rules to enter the juried exhibit visit http://statemuseumpa.org/pennsylvania-modern-architecture-photo-exhibit/

Jurors:
Dennis Hockman, Editor-in-Chief, Preservation magazine, and Senior Director, Editorial+Creative, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Washington, D.C.

Betsy Manning, Philadelphia-based photojournalist and featured photographer in the special exhibit
“UnCommon Modern: A Pennsylvania Glossary of Midcentury Architecture,” now on display at The State Museum through April 26, 2015. For details visit http://statemuseumpa.org/changing-exhibit/uncommon-modern-pennsylvania-glossary-midcentury-architecture/

David Oresick, Executive Director, Silver Eye Center for Photography, Pittsburgh

White Towers Revisited Gallery Tour & Talk

February 15, 2015 / info@philachaptersah.org

Thursday, February 19, 2015
Harvey and Irwin Kroiz Gallery,
Architectural Archives University of Pennsylvania School of Design
220 South 34th Street, Philadelphia

TOUR 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Join exhibition curators, William Whitaker and Paul Hirshorn for a lively discussion and tour of the exhibition.

LECTURE 6:00 p.m. by Paul Hirshorn

Taking on the subject of architectural symbolism and communication during the late 1960s was a radical move that opened up new avenues of artist expression and narratives about the development of roadside commercial architecture in the United States. Steven Izenour and Paul Hirshorn had been sensitized to the subject through their work with Denise Scott Brown and Robert Venturi and found themselves attracted to the strong architectural character of the White Tower hamburger chain. In this talk, Paul Hirshorn will share his insights into this remarkable example of architectural ingenuity tied to a corporate purpose and the role that he and Izenour played in uncovering its enduring significance.

Paul Hirshorn was Head of the Department of Architecture at Drexel University from 1986 to 2012, and a member of the faculty since 1974. Following architectural studies at the University of Pennsylvania and Cambridge University, he worked for the firm of Venturi and Rauch.

Sport and Spectacle: Renovating Saarinen’s Ingalls Hockey Rink

January 26, 2015 / info@philachaptersah.org

presented by Docomomo US
Saturday, February 21, 2015, beginning at noon
Tickets: $40 Docomomo Members/$45 Non-Members, purchase tickets at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sport-and-spectacle-renovating-saarinens-ingalls-hockey-rink-tickets-15426128967?mc_cid=f8b06b0365&mc_eid=d40627c0a5

Includes:
•Private tour of KRJDA office begins at 12:00 PM at the KRJDA Office (20 Davis Street, Hamden, CT)
•Ingalls Hockey Rink exterior and interior tour 1:00-2:30 PM (73 Sachem Street, New Haven, CT)
•Pre-game food at Wall Street Pizza 2:30-3:45 PM (pizza and soda)
•Yale vs Princeton (Women’s Ice Hockey game approximately 2.5 hours)

Eero Saarinen’s David S. Ingalls Hockey Rink on the Yale University campus “is deliberately not an ordinary building.” Visually compelling in its sculptural forms, the structure is composed of a huge 300-foot parabolic arch held in place by a complex tension grid of cables. As the building neared its 50th anniversary, Yale commissioned Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo and Associates to direct the refurbishment, updates and building expansion to address the needs of the current and future Yale Hockey Program while preserving this Architectural Landmark.

Ingalls Rink was completed in 1958 and renovated in 2009 by KRJDA, the successor firm to the Saarinen practice. In their renovation and refurbishment of the fondly referred to “Yale Whale”, KRJDA drew on archived sketches and former Saarinen employees to completely update and add much needed additional space with minimal disturbance to the original design. In addition to the underground extension, the rink received a new playing surface, a modern media and broadcasting area, and a new insulated roof was installed while preserving the original oak roof timbers.

This special full-day tour and hockey game offers guests a unique perspective to understand the structure from the perspective of its designers, its players and the people who maintain and care for the site. The day’s speakers include Wesley Kavanagh, Principal, KRJDA, Wayne Dean, and Alice Raucher, AIA Senior Architect/Major Projects Planner, Yale University Planning. The tour includes exterior and interior spaces including inner team spaces, a special tour of the KRJDA offices, pizza break at New Haven’s collegiate spot, Wall Street Pizza, and will conclude with the Yale Women’s Hockey team against Princeton University. Transportation to New Haven is not included but a limited number of spaces are available to car pool to and from the New Haven train station.

Louis Kahn-Ann Tyng Designed House For Sale In Cherry Hill, NJ

January 26, 2015 / info@philachaptersah.org

Clever House 2015 for sale “as is.”

MAY BE THREATENED WITH DEMOLITION

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/417-Sherry-Way-Cherry-Hill-NJ-08034/38226533_zpid/

417 Sherry Way, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
3 beds· 2 baths· 1,694 sq ft

From the real estate website: The “Clever House”” designed by Architect Louis Kahn from 1957 to 1962. The center point of the home is a large living room with an 18 foot roof composed of four large angular gables. Large triangular windows in each of the four gables provide the living area with soft natural light. The central living area is surrounded by five smaller rooms each with its own pyramidal roof. Each roof underside is finished with narrow wooden strips creating an umbrella of wood in each room. This home sits on .69 acres 150 x 200. The home and gardens can easily be restored to their original grandeur. For those who admire architecture this home is a delight. Property is being sold in “As-Is” condition.

Clever House 1962

William Whitaker, co-author of The Houses of Louis Kahn (2013) and SAH Phila President, tells us the house was built for Fred and Elaine Cox Clever in 1957-62. Fred and Elaine were Freedom Riders and founders of the ACLU in New Jersey. The design bears a very strong imprint of Anne Tyng. It’s a design that evolved in the last, difficult years of her and Kahn’s collaboration. To the degree that it is a Tyng design, it is one of only 2 or 3 that remain standing and it’s loss would be a blow to understanding and experiencing her particular sense of space and architecture – and Kahn’s, too.

We will keep you posted on any attempts to preserve the structure, or if you hear of any please email us ASAP.