ICAA - Philadelphia

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ICAA - Philadelphia

Please visit classicist.org for more information. Please visit classicist.org for more information on the ICAA, membership options, and upcoming events.

The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art is an organization dedicated to advancing the classical tradition in architecture, urbanism and their allied arts. As a branch of the national organization, the Philadelphia chapter serves its member community though education, publication, and advocacy in Philadelphia and the surrounding area.

12/06/2024

🚨🚨🚨 LAST CALL 🚨🚨🚨 4th Biennial Trumbauer Awards: Call for Submissions 🏆🏆🏆 DEADLINE EXTENDED to Friday, December 13

All winners will be recognized during a ceremony and gala in the Trumbauer Award-winning College of Physicians of Philadelphia on the evening of March 6, 2025

Learn more at classicist-phila.org

12/03/2024

🏆 Trumbauer Tuesdays 🏆 2022 WINNER - Historic Preservation - The College of Physicians of Philadelphia by Eberlein Design Consultants

Do you have a similar project you’d like us to consider? Learn more about our 2025 Trumbauer Awards and submit your projects at classicist-phila.org

The College of Physicians of Philadelphia will also serve as the home for our Fourth Biennial Trumbauer Awards on March 6!

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Founded in 1787, the College of Physicians of Philadelphia has an enlightened mission to advance and uphold the ideals and heritage of medicine with an unparalleled medical library. In 1928, Cope & Stewardson designed this dignified building to house its libraries, research areas, reading rooms, and extensive archives and galleries. But over the years, financial constraints lead to a pronounced deterioration of the physical facilities and threatened the irreplaceable collection. We implemented a long-term restoration addressing both the majestic public spaces, as well as the gallery-like research libraries that permeate every space. This unique facility advances the College’s mission but has also grown to serve the community with special events, prestigious lectures, and rotating curated exhibitions.

Restoration needed to be flexible enough to accommodate the expanding outreach efforts while maintaining authenticity in the restoration of historic paint schemes, stone mantels, tile mosaics, quarter-sawn oak paneling, original windows, and ornamental plaster. Of particular importance was the introduction of nearly invisible environmental controls to safeguard precious books, manuscripts, and works of art. Additional challenges included integrating task lighting for staff and researchers, and acoustical treatments to accommodate the wide spectrum of needs from music for larger gatherings, to conferences, to quiet library research. Analysis of original plans revealed major circulation paths hidden for decades behind previous renovations. Now restored to the original, the graceful flow has been reestablished to maximize the function and aesthetic appeal of this important architectural treasure.

📸: Jeffrey Totaro Architectural Photography

12/03/2024

📣 December Newsletter 📣 Virtual Events, Trumbauer Awards Submission Deadline, and more — read all the details at mailchi.mp/design/december

11/26/2024

🏆 Trumbauer Tuesdays 🏆 2022 WINNER - Interior Design (Residential) - Furness Mansion in Philadelphia by Eberlein Design Consultants

Do you have a similar project you’d like us to consider? Learn more about our 2025 Trumbauer Awards and submit your projects at classicist-phila.org

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Designed in 1895 by one of Philadelphia’s most important, prolific, and controversial architects of the Gilded Age, Frank Furness, The Jayne House also known as Furness Mansion has an intriguing and idiosyncratic terracotta façade that immediately expresses the unique vision of the architect. The current owners wanted to adapt the interiors for 21st-century living without losing the historical character of this masterpiece, but the design and integrity of this once-great townhouse were almost completely obliterated in successive renovations for commercial use. Left with acoustical tile ceilinged cubicle-like rooms and no extant original plans, we partnered with a team of architectural archaeologists to discover clues regarding the original layout, materials, and details from the remaining areas revealing original character. We researched plans of other Furness houses of this particular time frame to extrapolate likely scenarios. Every inch of the house was studied to restore the astonishing structure to its original use as a family residence of peerless character.

These glamorous rooms are meant to be lived in, so fragile fabrics and antique furnishings were placed strategically to extend their lifespan. Period lighting fixtures and 19th Century antiques mingle with original millwork, and a scenic mural based on country house precedents supports the breathtaking 400 square foot leaded glass skylight. We designed numerous custom light fixtures based on a single surviving example, produced wallpapers inspired by the originals, and created trompe l’oeil-stained glass compositions reminiscent of the original skylights. In the end, this historic home is now livable, touchable, and thoroughly welcoming.

📸: Jeffrey Totaro Architectural Photography

11/19/2024

🏆 Trumbauer Tuesdays 🏆 2022 WINNER - Renovation / Sympathetic Addition (non-residential) - The Lawrenceville School Abbott Dining Hall, Lawrenceville, NJ by Voith & Mactavish Architects

Do you have a similar project you’d like us to consider? Learn more about our 2025 Trumbauer Awards and submit your projects at classicist-phila.org

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The 1960s-era dining hall accommodating the senior class at The Lawrenceville School was outdated and did not match the quality of the rest of their campus architecture. The school sought an intervention that would improve the building’s functionality, contextually blend with the campus, and create a space that reinforced a connection of “love and loyalty” between students and the school.

The west façade was completely transformed in the style of the work of Peabody & Stearns, who designed much of their historic campus, including a dormitory to the east to which the dining hall is connected. One of the most dramatic changes is the new slate roof volume above the dining room which required replacing the original flat roof with a new cathedral ceiling with glulam trusses exposed in the interior volume. The dining room is furnished with white oak furniture and booth seating and the walls are lined with high white oak paneling. There are many visual symbols to celebrate the rich history and traditions of the school. A large “L” in the center of the room is highly visible, but the floor also includes small custom brass medallions that represent school icons of significance to students and alumni. The kitchen and servery were completely redesigned to offer a much more efficient circulation flow.

With its memorabilia-lined entry hallway, lounge, and cozy side dining rooms, the dining hall now presents itself as an exclusive space for proud seniors to socialize, dine, and reflect fondly on their school years.

📸: Jeffrey Totaro Architectural Photography

11/12/2024

🚨 3 REMINDERS 🚨 Lecture & book signing at the Athenaeum ✨ Part II of By Hand & Eye ✨Trumbauer Awards: Call for Submissions— read all the details at mailchi.mp/design/nov-reminder

📸: The Athenaeum of Philadelphia

11/04/2024

The Philadelphia and Ohio & Lake Erie Chapters of the ICAA are pleased to announce a call for submissions for the Fourth Biennial Trumbauer Awards, honoring the exemplary work of today’s emerging architects, designers, builders, craftsmen, artisans, students, and patrons in contemporary classical architecture. This year’s expanded eligibility to all of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio, and areas of New Jersey, New York, Delaware, and Maryland.

All winners will be recognized during a ceremony and gala in the Trumbauer Award-winning College of Physicians of Philadelphia on the evening of March 6, 2025.

Learn more at classicist-phila.org

10/29/2024

📣 November Newsletter 📣 Lecture & book signing at the Athenaeum and Part II of By Hand & Eye on Zoom — read all the details at mailchi.mp/design/november

📸: Santa Caterina a Formiello Church in Naples, Italy

10/02/2024

📣 October Newsletter 📣 By Hand & Eye: a two-part presentation exploring classic design from an artisan’s perspective — read all the details at mailchi.mp/design/october

09/03/2024

📣 September in-person events in New York City... including the Elements of Classical Architecture: Traditional Pediments in Design 2.5 credits — read all the details at mailchi.mp/design/september

08/09/2024

📣 August virtual screening... Chatsworth Through Time — read all the details at mailchi.mp/design/august

06/24/2024

📣 July virtual events... Artist’s Talk & Drawing Course (7 AIA credits) — read all the details at mailchi.mp/design/jul

📸: Perspective Light Refracted Through a Long Passage by Lucian Moriyama

06/07/2024

📣 June virtual event... Olmsted in Seattle — read all the details at mailchi.mp/design/jun

📸: Jan Hendrickson

05/31/2024

🚨 LAST CALL 🚨 Old City Walking Tour tomorrow at 10AM!

Join us for our first ever Old City Walking Tour! We will begin and end at Christ Church and traverse Old City and some of Society Hill. Hosted by Matthew Havens, M.S., Historic Preservation.

More details and reserve your spot at classicist-phila.org

05/07/2024

📣 May events... including our Germantown Classical Interiors Tour — read all the details at mailchi.mp/design/may24

📸: Stenton

04/26/2024

Two weeks ago, we went to the College of Chapters meeting in New York with our colleagues from all over the country. We learned so much there and left feeling inspired and ready to share all the amazing things we are doing and can do together as an institution!

04/02/2024

🚨 LAST CALL 🚨 Our Spring Social is tomorrow night at Carpenters’ Hall!

More details and reserve your spot at classicist-phila.org

03/29/2024

📣 April events... including our Spring Social — read all the details at mailchi.mp/design/apr

📸: Carpenters’ Company

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Aston, PA

Website

http://classicist-phila.org/

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Videos

🚨 LAST CALL for Part I 🚨 By Hand & Eye: a two-part presentation exploring classic design from an artisan’s perspective — watch the trailer here and then go to classicist-phila.org for more information and to register!