Ever walked by a group of people standing on the sidewalk, staring intently at a building, only to realize you’d never actually noticed that building before? Looking closer, you see it’s got a striking style unlike anything else on the street. You stop to listen as someone tells the story of its mid-century modern design…and you wonder what else you’ve been missing all this time.
Philadelphia is full of these hidden gems! The Philly chapter of Docomomo US has been working for years to highlight the city’s rich architectural history through tours and events. This summer, the chapter is hosting the Docomomo US National Symposium. Called “Yo! Modernism: The View from Philadelphia,” the event will give attendees a chance to learn more about modern architecture and design through Philly’s vibrant legacy.
On a sadder note, the symposium will also spotlight the urgency of preservation efforts. Our city’s architectural gems are disappearing quickly, as historical structures are mowed down and replaced with run-of-the-mill buildings.
To learn more, we spoke with our friend and colleague Marion Dinofa, a board member for the Docomomo Philly chapter and our area’s foremost expert realtor on mid-century housing.
Philly has a rich mid-century modern heritage…
When Marion got involved in the mid-century modern market 10 years ago, it was quietly dying. As a realtor, she saw amazing homes sold as tear-downs just for the land. Few people knew or cared much about local modernist buildings and designers.
“Like a lot of people, I’ve always lived in the area, but until I started specializing in this market, I didn’t know anything about all these beautiful buildings and homes,” Marion says.
But things changed, as minimalism and modern design grew in popularity. Today there’s a large demand for mid-century modern homes, with previously unknown designers becoming sought-after names — and even being factored into appraisal values.
Want to see some examples? Check out Philadwellphia to see Marion’s curated lists of incredible mid-century modern homes in our area. The Docomomo Greater Philadelphia chapter page also features some of the most beautiful examples of local mid-century modern architecture.
Beth Sholom Synagogue, Elkins Park, PA | Photo credit: Smallbones, Wikimedia Commons
…that we’re in danger of losing
Philadelphia doesn’t offer much protection for these buildings, and the city is quickly losing some of its most incredible architecture. Remember Jewelers’ Row? Gone. Gutted and replaced, despite local protests. Many more lost treasures were featured in a recent Hidden City article.
Marion has a great perspective: “Things go in and out of style. Take Brutalism, with its concrete, bulky buildings — some folks like them and some find them ugly. But when things go out of style and get torn down, inevitably someone will say, ‘Oh, wait…that was actually really cool!’. If those buildings could have held on just a little longer, the appreciation for them might have come back. But they’re lost.
“We have to be careful, putting aside our personal tastes and asking, ‘Was this an important piece of our history? How did that affect later styles?’. Otherwise, we’ll lose an important piece of our timeline.”
At any given moment, Docomomo is involved in protecting local structures. Docomomo US maintains a list of threatened sites around the country, including the Philadelphia Police Administration Building. People are paying attention now, says Marion, but we have a long way to go.
Once these buildings are gone, they’re gone for good.
Philadelphia Police Administration Building | Photo credit: Beyond My Ken, Wikimedia Commons
Bring on the symposium!
Held annually, the Docomomo US National Symposium is the event for those interested in the preservation of modern architecture. Enthusiasts, educators and activists gather to discuss and explore the legacy and importance of modern architecture while engaging local visitors to learn more about their city’s hidden gems.
This year’s event will be held on May 31–June 5. The symposium will feature building tours, lectures and socializing, including opening and closing receptions.
Why Philadelphia? According to Docomomo: “From pared-down Classicism to space-age whimsy, from the streamlined to the sculptural, from the monumental to the everyday, the multi-layered, the multi-generational Modernism found in Philadelphia reflects ideas found around the world, and we look forward to exploring these ideas further.”
PSFS Building – Loews Philadelphia Hotel | Image source: Docomomo US
“Philly was on the cutting edge of modernism in the mid-century, but a lot of people don’t realize that,” says Marion. ”It’s exciting to have this opportunity to meet with people from other cities and chapters that do a better job of preservation and promotion, to share ideas and talk about how to move forward.”
Want to get involved?
Aside from joining as a participant, there are two things you can do to help support the event:
- Volunteers are needed! Particularly to act as docents for building tours, guiding traffic and educating visitors. Contact Marion here if you’re interested. The Docomomo team will train you on everything you need to know.
- Sponsorships are welcome! This year’s sponsorship levels are named in honor of notable women architects, designers, artists and preservationists with links to the city of Philadelphia.
Registration opens in mid-February. Hope to see you there!
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