PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DesignPhiladelphia, the signature event of the Philadelphia Center for Architecture and oldest design event of its kind in the country, will return for its 11th year with approximately 100 events showcasing the work of more than 400 local and international practicing architects, designers and creative professionals from October 8-16. DesignPhiladelphia events highlight a wide range of design disciplines, including architecture and urban planning, as well as product, interior, furniture, multimedia, graphic and fashion design through programming ranging from exhibitions, tours, talks and workshops to open studios, demonstrations and more. Most events are free, and all are open to the public.
“Philadelphia has always been a hub for creative activity, and today, Philadelphia’s creative economy is nearly 50,000 people strong,” said Rebecca Johnson, Executive Director of Philadelphia Center for Architecture. “The Center for Architecture looks forward to DesignPhiladelphia each year to celebrate the designers and architects who are working together to improve the community and people’s lives through design.”
This year’s DesignPhiladelphia theme is SHIFT, inspired by the rapid changes in Philadelphia’s skyline and urban landscape and how these changes have the power to shift perceptions about the city. The 2015 festival programming will explore the shift in design process, education and practice toward a multi-disciplinary, collaborative approach. Lead sponsors this year include Urban Engineers and Jarvus Innovations.
For the first time, DesignPhiladelphia programming is organized into six tracks in order to help attendees more easily discover the events that interest them. Each track is geared toward a program goal and specific audience, and together they reflect the many different ways it is possible to engage with and be impacted by design.
“As part of DesignPhiladelphia’s mission, we encourage the general public to consider all the different ways in which they engage with design every day, both personally and professionally,” said Nova Harris, Program Manager of DesignPhiladelphia. “These new tracks are a way to help festival-goers find the events that resonate with them, but at the same time we hope the tracks will encourage people to experience design in a way that they hadn’t considered before.”
As one of the largest and oldest design events in the nation, DesignPhiladelphia annually welcomes more than 25,000 attendees during its nine-day run. Starting September 1, attendees can design their own experience by creating and exporting a personalized schedule, register and/or purchase tickets and view an interactive map of all events by visiting www.designphiladelphia.org.
The highlights of 2015 DesignPhiladelphia include:
Kickoff Party & Benefit
On the eve of the 11th annual DesignPhiladelphia Festival, members and supporters of Philadelphia’s creative industry are invited to attend the Kickoff Party & Benefit at the treasured antiques showroom of the Liao Collection. Presented by the John S. & James L. Knight Foundation, the party on October 7 will feature offerings from 12th Street Catering, desserts by Chaat & Chai and an exclusive whiskey tasting from WhistlePig, as well as live entertainment from Worldtown SoundSystem, J.E. Kim and 7textures. Hilary Jay will be the evening’s special honoree, recognized for her contributions to the City of Philadelphia and her vision and steadfast commitment to high-quality design and designers. Kickoff party attendees will also be the first to explore Pearl Street Passage, this year’s marquee event.
Tickets for the Kickoff Party & Benefit can be purchased at www.designphiladelphia.org starting on August 31. Proceeds from the event will benefit DesignPhiladelphia.
Pearl Street Passage
DesignPhiladelphia’s marquee event is Pearl Street Passage, which will transform the 1100 block of Pearl Street in the Chinatown North/Callowhill neighborhood with 10 temporary installations from October 8-12. Led by Groundswell Design Group, the installations – created and built by multidisciplinary teams of Philadelphia-based artists, designers, makers and builders – will be experiential, educational and fun. At its core, Pearl Street Passage is a place-making project intended to explore the possibilities for neglected city space. Major support for Pearl Street Passage was provided by ArtPlace America and was made possible through the partnership of Philadelphia Center for Architecture, Asian Arts Initiative and Friends of the Rail Park.
Program Tracks & Signature Events
The six program tracks and their signature events for 2015 DesignPhiladelphia include:
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FOR THE ADVOCATE: Events that demonstrate the power of design
to solve problems, drive innovation and improve the quality of life in
the city and its neighborhoods
Signature Event: Shifting Attitudes in Health & Wellness: Designed by You, for You!
This afternoon of design thinking will aim to produce innovative shifts
in how to approach existing – or currently unchallenged – problems in
health care. The program includes a 30-minute panel discussion about the
future of health innovation, featuring experts in the fields of design,
health care and science, followed by a charrette in which organizers
will lead small groups formed from the audience to brainstorm around a
topic related to the theme of SHIFT in health and wellness.
October
10, 2:30-5 p.m. at The Center for Architecture, $10
Presenting
sponsors of the Advocate Track: Independence Blue Cross Center for
Health Care Innovation, MEDstudio@JEFF and Likuma Labs
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FOR THE PRACTITIONER: Professional development and networking
opportunities for design pros, faculty and students
Signature Events: Philadelphia University Multidisciplinary Series
Philadelphia University, a professionally focused university leading a
critical SHIFT in higher education, will host a series of events
aimed at educating and collaborating with an audience of professionals
and students. The series includes a workshop on artifact-based learning
led by the curator of the Textile and Costume Collection (Oct. 8); a
Pecha Kucha night with industrial design alumni (Oct. 8); a textile
design screen-printing workshop (Oct. 10); a symposium on the emerging
discipline of surface imaging (Oct. 13); and the 2015 Geodesign Forum
(Oct. 16). Through its award-winning Nexus Learning approach, PhilaU is
preparing its graduates to be leaders in their fields. By focusing on
real-world experiential learning and collaboration across disciplines
and with industry education partners, PhilaU graduates have a clear
competitive advantage in today’s dynamic job market. It’s an approach
that has led to a 95 percent job and graduate school placement success
rate.
Presenting sponsor of the Practitioner Track: Philadelphia
University
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FOR THE EXPLORER: Interactive events, including hands-on
workshops and neighborhood tours that showcase Philadelphia’s historic
and contemporary assets
Signature Event: Create with Corian! Hands-on Workshop at NextFab
This workshop offers a first-hand experience of the unique features of
DuPont™ Corian® Solid Surface and its broad potential in both
horizontal and vertical applications. The evening will include
interactive demonstrations, including thermoforming, CNC routing,
seaming and dye sublimation.
October 13, 5:30-8 p.m. at NextFab
Studio, Free
Presenting sponsors of the Explorer Track: DuPont™
Corian®, C.H. Briggs Company and NextFab
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FOR THE ENTHUSIAST: Opportunities to meet the people, explore
the ideas and see the inspiration behind the latest trends in design
Signature Event: Society of Design Conference
This one-day multidisciplinary design event features presentations from
leading creatives who shape culture around the world. Eight speakers
will share compelling and thought-provoking case studies from a wide
range of design disciplines. Creatives from Europe include: Nick Asbury,
copywriting; Annie Atkins, film design; and Oskar Zieta, industrial
design. Creatives from the United States include: Spencer Charles,
lettering; Craig Dykers, architecture and interiors; John Ryan,
interaction/media; Kelly Thorn, lettering; and Alisa Wolfson, branding.
October
15, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at University of Pennsylvania – Harrison Auditorium,
$125-$250
Presenting sponsor of the Enthusiast Track: Go Welsh
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FOR THE NEXT GENERATION: Opportunities for children and young
adults to explore design and its ability to shape the future and
create positive change
Signature Event: Art of Active Play
Throughout the Festival, try out three new play pieces designed and
built by Philly youth with Public Workshop and the support of the
Philadelphia Department of Public Health. During the Healthy Play Panel
on October 8, hear from experts in public health, education and design
who will discuss play and its impact on childhood learning and health
and its surprising role in creating a great city. Turn Columbus Day into
a “day of play” for the whole family (Oct. 12).
October 8-16, 10
a.m.-4 p.m. at Smith Memorial Playground, $5-10 for Healthy Play Panel
Presenting
sponsor of the Next Generation Track: Community Design Collaborative
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FOR THE PATRON: Events showcasing creative vendors and
design-forward products and services
Signature Event: Festival Closing Event: Design Crawl in Old City
Celebrate the closing night of the 11th Annual
DesignPhiladelphia Festival in the heart of Old City. Begin at the
Center for Art in Wood for the last chance to see this year’s Design
Showcase featuring room settings created by Marguerite Rodgers Interior
Design. Continue onto Millesime & Ligne Roset for the grand opening of
the brand-new showroom.
October 16, 6-10 p.m. starting at the
Center for Art in Wood
Presenting sponsors of the Patron Track:
Center for Art in Wood, Marguerite Rodgers Interior Design, Millesime &
Ligne Roset
To learn more about DesignPhiladelphia 2015, visit: designphiladelphia.org.
About Philadelphia Center for Architecture
The Center for Architecture performs the charitable and educational work of the Philadelphia chapter of the American Institute of Architects and serves as the physical home for the Chapter in Center City Philadelphia. The Center offers walking tours, exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and children’s programming on architecture, urban planning, and design. The Center is also home to the AIA Bookstore & Design Center and the Community Design Collaborative. For more information, visit: philadelphiacfa.org.
About DesignPhiladelphia
DesignPhiladelphia, a signature event of the Philadelphia Center for Architecture, is the oldest design event of its kind in the country and annually showcases the work of over 400 practicing architects, designers, and creative professionals. Experience design in unexpected ways through approximately 100 exhibitions, workshops, demonstrations, tours, talks, and events held in venues across the city. Learn about wide-ranging topics, including architecture, urban planning, landscape, graphic, multi-media, product, furniture design, fashion, and the like. This year’s Festival kicks off on the evening of October 7, and events run from October 8-16. For more information on attending the 2015 Festival, visit: designphiladelphia.org.
