What is the future of historic preservation? As the movement sheds its elitist, anti-Modern, and anti-contemporary reputation and embraces new values and strategies, the time is ripe for a dynamic public dialogue on this subject. This fall, with HPP support, DesignPhiladelphia is generating a publication / panel discussion interrogating this issue. Advocating for the position that historic buildings should be used as a catalyst for design innovation, rather than a deterrent, this project, entitled "Gray Area—Provocations on the Future of Preservation," poses some tough questions and some provocative answers. Project directors are Hilary Jay, DesignPhiladelphia; Brian Phillips, 2011 Pew Fellow and principal architect at Interface Studio; and Elise Vider, preservation consultant.
Starting with the premise that Philadelphia’s historic building fabric is one of its greatest resources, "Gray Area" considers how community activists, designers, and artists can intervene within and build on this resource in exciting, inventive ways. The panel will be moderated by Mark Alan Hughes, founding director of sustainability for the City of Philly.
Join the conversation at the Center of Architecture on Wednesday, October 19 at 5:30 p.m. A publication documenting imaginative case studies will be distributed at the event. See you there!
PlanPhilly: Planning Philadelphia's Future