After the shutdown, what comes next for the former Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery? Flames and smoke emerge from the Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refining Complex in Philadelphia, Friday, June 21, 2019. (Image: Matt Rourke/AP Images) After the shutdown, what comes next for the former Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery? Creating a greener, more equitable future at the site means understanding its complex history, its long-running public health impacts, and working in partnership with communities.
The philosophy of visual studies The Class of 2022 has eight visual studies majors, including (from left) Zuqi Fu of Beijing, Eli Ricanati of Santa Monica, California, and Morgan Jones of Albany, New York. The philosophy of visual studies Founded 20 years ago, the interdisciplinary major of visual studies creates a bridge for students to combine interests, including philosophy, art history, architecture, fine arts, and psychology.
Public schools, COVID-19, and addressing education’s aging infrastructure Renderings developed by students in Planning Public Schools as Infrastructure, one showing deteriorating conditions in buildings and the other encouraging viewers to envision their future, on display outside of City Hall. (Image credit: Akira Drake Rodriguez) Public schools, COVID-19, and addressing education’s aging infrastructure Urban planners and architects are working to address one of the many challenges faced by public schools by designing healthy and engaging outdoor educational spaces.
Answering ‘How will we live together?’ at the Venice Biennale A screenshot of the City X Venice Italian Virtual Pavilion, the Biennale’s first-ever virtual pavilion, with Dubbeldam serving as one of the creative directors. (Image: Winka Dubbeldam) Answering ‘How will we live together?’ at the Venice Biennale After more than a year of delays, Penn faculty and students were able to participate in La Biennale di Venezia architectural exhibition with both virtual and physical submissions.
In the backyard at the Philadelphia Flower Show Abdallah Tabet, a lecturer in the Weitzman School of Design, designed the 1,000-square-foot exhibit “Philly-Beirut” (pictured) for the 2021 Philadelphia Flower Show. In the backyard at the Philadelphia Flower Show Abdallah Tabet of the Stuart Weitzman School of Design is one of 34 major exhibitors at this year’s Philadelphia Flower Show.
The power of architecture to address public health and environmental crises The power of architecture to address public health and environmental crises Two new studies, one on UV sterilization in occupied rooms and another on radiative cooling, show how architecture can help create interior spaces that are both COVID-safe and energy-efficient.
James Corner elected to American Academy of Arts and Letters Image: Courtesy of the Weitzman School James Corner elected to American Academy of Arts and Letters The professor emeritus and renowned landscape architect and urban designer has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters, widely considered the highest form of recognition of artistic merit in the United States.
The unbridled brilliance of Julian Abele The unbridled brilliance of Julian Abele The 1902 graduate of the architecture program is finally starting to receive credit for his vast and iconic portfolio, which includes the central branch of the Free Library, Penn’s President’s House, Harvard’s flagship library, and more than 30 spaces and places on Duke’s campus.
Seeing the connections between health and the built environment Seeing the connections between health and the built environment The course New Approaches to an Architecture of Health offers students the chance to explore the role of architecture on health and well-being and how mindful design can be used to create a healthier future.
Design-minded strategies for greener, healthier indoor spaces Design-minded strategies for greener, healthier indoor spaces Insights on the evolution of modern building design, how to improve ventilation while reducing energy usage, and ways that architects are supporting their communities with simple, design-based solutions.