Philadelphia Contemporary partnered with Drexel University to envision a permanent home for PC on the edge of Drexel’s campus on 36th Street, between Drexel’s URBN Center and the then-future location of the Science Leadership Academy Middle School.
PC engaged in an extensive architectural selection process in 2018 with a jury consisting of Michael Forman, Jamie Frankfurt, Richard Gluckman, Mia Locks, Carolyn Oakley Lowe, Don Millinger, Pepón Osorio, Harry Philbrick, Vaughn Ross, Zoë Ryan, Nato Thompson, Nancy Rogo Trainer, Yolanda Wisher, and James Wright, with the guidance of consultant David van der Leer.
Johnston Markley was selected, and, working closely with Philadelphia Contemporary, developed the design shown in these renderings.
Given the cultural impact of the Black Lives Matters movement, and PC’s desire to be in the most universally welcoming and accessible location, coupled with the economic impact of the pandemic, PC decided to not move forward with these plans and instead pivoted to a partnership with the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation which led to the development of plans for a floating gallery on the Delaware River waterfront.
Visualizations by 18—25, courtesy of Johnston Marklee.
