Our pools project, the City of Philadelphia's new inititiative 'Swim Philly', is already receiving great press. Click here to read this awesome article!
Pinelands Adventures /
Our summer outing at Pinelands Adventures in Shamong, NJ. We ventured out on a 4-hour narrow, winding Batsto River trail through the Pine Barrens. We began our journey at Quaker Bridge, which lead us through a dense forest of Pitch Pine, Atlantic White Cedar, Red Maple and Black gums, just to name a few. Our trip ended at the historic Batsto Village. Even when we are so busy, these rare but treasured outings help remind us of who we are and why we love what we do!
Pools are Open! /
With increased amenitities, fun programming, and special events for all ages, meet your friends at the pool this summer. Last year's pop-up at Francisville Playground was so successful that our project team decided to expand these popular design interventions to more neighborhood pools. This summer's program, re-branded Swim Philly, brings lots of opportunities to connect with your neighbor. The four Swim Philly locations for this year are now open and are: Pleasant Playground (Mt. Airy), O'Connor Pool (South Philly/Center City), Lee Cultural Center (West Philly), Lawncrest Recreation Center Pool (lower Northeast) and Francisville Playground Pool (Fairmount). So grab your towels and relax Swim Philly Style! Visit our Instagram for a constant stream of new photos: instagram.com/swimphila.
Welcome Jinah Kim! /
We are pleased to announce that our office is expanding this summer with the addition of our intern Jinah. She is currently attending the University of Pennsylvania’s Master of Landscape Architecture program with an anticipated graduation date for the Spring of 2017. Jinah began her journey at Konkuk University in Seoul, Korea; moving to the United States three years ago. She received her Bachelor of Arts, and a Master of Environmental Science. As an Environmental Scientist by profession, she chose to study Landscape Architecture because she saw the potential to shape urban development with beautiful interventions that contribute to ecological sustainability.
Camden Night Gardens /
Photos Courtesy of Sikora Wells Appel
Joe Sikora attended Camden Night Gardens: Intergalactic Block Party on Friday, May 27, 2016. The City of Camden and Connect the Lots hosted the event at Roosevelt Plaza Park, which is located downtown in front of City Hall. RPP was transformed into an 'out-of-this-world' festival of music, dance and art. City Hall was illuminated with colorful lights and projections. A neon car-show, illuminated sports contests and a night picnic rounded out the cosmic event.
AIA Guided Tours at Longwood Gardens /
Joe Sikora and Rosa Mannion guided tours through the East Conservatory Plaza for this year's AIA National Convention. Along with Farewell Architects, Bancroft Construction, and Longwood Gardens, we presented our work on the landform, plaza, and green wall to a total of 60 architects from all over the country.
Eagleview Construction is Under Way /
Exciting to see site construction activities moving along at the 411/415 Eagleview Boulevard project! Site is being prepped for plant material and bluestone pavement gathering space, adjacent to new stone walls and walkways that lead to reconstructed builidng entrances.
Happy Arbor Day! /
Giant Sequoia Trees at Sequoia National Park, CA. Photo courtesy of Getty Images/Mark Ralston.
It's Arbor Day, an annual observance that celebrates the role of trees in our lives and promotes tree planting and care. National Arobr Day is celebrated on the last Friday in April. Did you know it was first observed in 1872 in Nebraska? Over the course of time the tree has become a symbol of life, of hope: "He who plants a tree plants hope." ~ Lucy Larcom
Construction at DTCC Stanton Has Begun! /
The construction of the Delaware Technical Community College Stanton Campus Courtyard is in full swing! Scheduled to be completed later this spring, the courtyard incorporates a large canopy structure, terraced wood benches, a wood deck stage, dining terrace, a bluestone patio with moveable seating, a rain garden, and lush plantings. The courtyard will enliven a formerly underused courtyard in the heart of the campus providing students with areas to eat, study, gather, and the school with outdoor event space.
Light City Baltimore /
Blue Hour (2016), Baltimore, MD. Courtesy of New American Public Art.
Light City Baltimore was a festival of art, music and light innovation that lit the streets of Baltimore this past weekend. Light City celebrated the ideas of ingenuity and innovation which transformed Baltimore with world class light displays and sculptures, video projections on buildings and interactive technologies that created once-in-a-lifetime experiences for families, residents and visitors. 'Blue Hour' was the result of a team effort which involved our firm, Group Melvin Design, Cooper's Ferry Partnership and New American Public Art. The first iteration was brought to life at Roosevelt Plaza Park located in front of City Hall in downtown Camden, NJ.
For more information regarding Light City Baltimore, please click here.
Blue Hour (2014), Camden, NJ. Courtesy of New American Public Art.
Joseph Sikora and Rosa Mannion Speak at the 2016 PA DE ASLA Conference /
Joseph Sikora and Rosa Mannion spoke at the 2016 PA DE ASLA's conference on Saturday, April 9, 2016. Both spoke of the successes of each of their projects, Roosevelt Plaza Park and Swim Philly, formerly known as The Pop-up Pools Project, respectively, and how the phenomenon of tactical urbanism helps to improve local neighborhoods and city gathering spaces. To learn more about each of these projects click here: Roosevelt Plaza Park and Swim Philly.
Albert Einstein Healing Garden Wins a PA DE ASLA Award /
We are pleased to announce that the Einstein Healing Garden at Albert Einstein Medical Center - Montgomery wins a PA DE ASLA Merit Award for General Design. Congratulations to the project team for a job well done!
Hunting Park Still a Feather in Philly's Cap /
In a recent speech, Mayor Kenney lauded the revitalization project at Hunting Park that our office led: “When the City and the Fairmount Park Conservancy invested $5 million in Hunting Park, crime went down 89% within a half mile radius of the park over the next three years.” And in her exit interview upon leaving the Fairmount Park Conservancy, Kathryn Ott Lovell cited the project as the one she was most proud of from her time at the Conservancy. Read more at PhillyMag.com and MyPhillyPark.org.
B-K Lighting Training Weekend /
Our very own Jason Domingues recently participated in a lighting training weekend hosted by B-K Lighting in Madera, CA. During his visit, he attended educational programs, factory tours, and was introduced to product comparisons. He was inspired by the future of LED lighting applications, and extremely impressed by B-K's ingenuity and commitment to creating quality lighting products. While there, Jason took part in a hike to the top of Yosemite Falls (the tallest water fall in North America) where he was exposed to a wide variety of native flora and awe-inspiring views of the park's dramatic landscape. Jason returned with newly gained lighting knowledge and feeling energized by the experience.
2016 NJ ASLA Awards /
We are proud to announce that Roosevelt Plaza Park wins another NJ ASLA Award for the park's second iteration, Roosevelt Plaza Park H2O. It won the Chapter and Honor Award for Site Design. Also, The Pop-up Pool Project won an NJ ASLA Merit Award for Site Design. The awards were received during the 2016 NJ ASLA Conference Awards Ceremony that was held on Monday, February 22, 2016. Congratulations to all team members who were a part of these wonderful projects!
Joe Sikora: Keynote Speaker at the 2016 NJ ASLA Conference /
Joe Sikora speaking at the 2016 NJ ASLA Conference earlier today in front of a packed house. Joe's session, "Temporary Parks Enliven Underserved Communities" illustrated how temporary improvements tested at Roosevelt Plaza Park Pop-Up in Camden and the knowledge transferred to the Francisville public pool in Philadelphia were designed and used to evaluate user experience and to advocate for future improvements at these essential yet neglected public spaces. Improvements were meant to enliven the underutilized spaces into vibrant destinations, and to encourage kids of all ages to spend more time outside in the city.
Are Cities Becoming More Like Startups? /
Fortune.com talks with Carol Coletta, V.P. of the Knight Foundation. The Knight Foundation just recently announced the 158 finalists of their 2nd Annual Knight Cities Challenge. Ms. Coletta cited our project, The Pop-up Pool Project, as a "victory" and "transforming more than just a pool". Click here to read more. The Pop-up Pool Project, was one of 32 winners of last year's Knight Cities Challenge, which transformed an underutilized public space into a dynamic destination for the City of Philadelphia.
William Paterson - University Hall's Ribbon Cutting /
On Wednesday, January 13, 2016, William Paterson celebrated the opening of its new academic building, University Hall. We are so proud to be a part of this project. The facility is an 8,000 sf structure with 16 general use classrooms that will serve at least four thousand students every semester. For more information regarding WPU's newest building click on the below articles.
Photo Courtesy of NK Architects
Photo Courtesy of NK Architects
Public Space Prototypes: Temporary Parks Transform the City /
Are you in Chicago attending the ASLA 2015 Meeting and Expo? Come out and listen to Joe Sikora, along with David Fierabend from Groundswell Design Group, Julie A Bush from LRSLA Studio, Inc., and moderator, Inga Saffron, an Architect critic for the Philadelphia Inquirer, discuss the pop-up phenomenon and the design of temporary spaces. Their session begins at 3:30 pm today in Room E450A, Level 4.
Temporary Parks Enliven Underserved Communities /
Attending the 13th Annual Design on the Delaware's conference today? Come out and listen to Joe Sikora, along with Bob Melvin from Group Melvin Design, discuss how temporary parks enliven underserved communities. Their session begins at 4:15 pm.