Stuart Weitzman School of Design

Pen and ink drawing of the Addams Family cartoon from the cover of the Pennsylvania Gazette.

The Addams Family legacy lives on

Former Penn student Charles Addams’ creations are back on the silver screen in a new 3D computer-animated film, more than 80 years after the characters were created by the artist.

Louisa Shepard ・

Cover of book by Sonja Dümpelmann, "Seeing Trees: A History of Street Trees in New York City and Berlin"

A Q&A with landscape historian Sonja Dümpelmann

Landscape historian and standing faculty in the Department of Landscape Architecture at the Weitzmann School Sonja Dümpelmann discusses her new book, “Seeing Trees: A History of Street Trees in New York City and Berlin.

Penn Today Staff ・

Two people pulling cloth off of bronze bust next to a podium with third person looking on

‘Power of design’

In a ceremony Thursday afternoon, President Amy Gutmann celebrated the naming of the Stuart Weitzman School of Design and Stuart Weitzman Plaza. Weitzman, the designer and footwear industry icon, graduated from the Wharton School in 1963.

Louisa Shepard ・

Two people sitting on a stage, one gesturing with his hands. In front of them is a brown wooden table with two water bottles.

Dissecting the Green New Deal

During what’s likely the largest climate event ever held at Penn, leaders in a range of fields discussed the practicalities and implications of the resolution introduced into Congress in February aimed at stemming climate change.

Michele W. Berger ・

Metal sculptures with lettering

Fall into the arts

An active time of year for the arts community, the University’s fall arts and culture offerings range from a sculpture exhibit from Jaume Plensa, at Arthur Ross Gallery, to a viewing garden along the Rail Park.

Brandon Baker ・



In the News


USA Today

As sea levels rise, is Philadelphia International Airport in danger from storm surge?

Billy Fleming of the Stuart Weitzman School of Design explained why many airports are at risk of flooding as climate change progresses. “We build most of our big international airports in some of our lowest-lying places because at the time of building, that land was very cheap,” he said. “This is the logic of land development in most of the United States: to put all of the things we want out of sight and out of mind in our most vulnerable landscapes.”

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Bloomberg

America’s middle class is addicted to a new kind of credit

Lisa Servon of the Stuart Weitzman School of Design said payday lenders facing increasing regulation pivoted to online installment loans because they “saw the writing on the wall and figured, ‘Let’s anticipate this and figure out how to stay in business.’”

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Bloomberg

America’s great climate exodus is starting in the Florida Keys

Billy Fleming of the Stuart Weitzman School of Design commented on ad hoc efforts by local and state governments to fund buyouts for homeowners in flood-prone areas. “The scale of this is almost unfathomable,” he said. “If we take any of the climate science seriously, we’re down to the last 10 to 12 years to mobilize the full force of the government and move on managed retreat. If we don’t, it won’t matter, because much of America will be underwater or on fire.”

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WHYY (Philadelphia)

Not over the hill: ‘Design With Nature,’ Ian McHarg’s landmark book of ecological design turns 50

Bill Whitaker of the Stuart Weitzman School of Design spoke about Penn landscape architect Ian McHarg’s influence on ecological design and city planning. “He realized that people paid attention when you had scientific information and you had hard facts,” said Whitaker.

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Philadelphia Inquirer

E-scooters may be rolling into Pa., but are Philly streets prepared? Pro/Con

Megan Ryerson and Carrie Sauer of the Stuart Weitzman School of Design co-authored the pro-side of a debate over e-scooters in Philadelphia. They argued that concerns over scooter safety reveal a double-standard in the way car traffic is regulated.

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