Soapbox

Second Time's the Charm?

Second Time’s the Charm?

January 31, 2012  |  Soapbox

As ground was broken on the new Dilworth Plaza, we look back at what went wrong the first time around > more

In Roxborough, Will Land Use Mistakes Follow Ethics Violations?

In Roxborough, Will Land Use Mistakes Follow Ethics Violations?

January 18, 2012  |  Soapbox

A developer's proposal for the former Ivy Ridge Personal Care facility, which closed in 2009 after massive criminal violations, falls short of our urban expectations > more

South Philly Crosstown Bus Is A Mistake

South Philly Crosstown Bus Is A Mistake

January 3, 2012  |  Soapbox

Here's a transit-minded counter-thesis--and a way forward to leverage the wonderfully dense, but also hidden, bus network > more

Make No Small Plans

Make No Small Plans

December 22, 2011  |  Soapbox

On the elusive potential of the Ben Franklin Parkway and the necessity of thinking big (while recognizing the value of small interventions and organic change) > more

When Caesar's Palace Meets Publisher's Clearing House

When Caesar’s Palace Meets Publisher’s Clearing House

December 19, 2011  |  Soapbox

Fishtown's near run-in with a casino den last week was a first, but by no means will it be the last. Here's how a "sweepstakes cafe" operates and why we should worry > more

Still Trashing Ourselves

Still Trashing Ourselves

December 13, 2011  |  Soapbox

A lament for the lost buildings of the year, and a reckoning for a city that isn't quite serious enough > more

City Controller's Plan to Demo Schools Short-Sighted and Uninformed

City Controller’s Plan to Demo Schools Short-Sighted and Uninformed

December 12, 2011  |  Soapbox

The vast majority of empty schools are anything but threats to the community--they're architectural assets waiting to be leveraged > more

At The Foot Of The Mountain

At The Foot Of The Mountain

November 25, 2011  |  Soapbox

Why "traditional architecture" isn't necessary at the Museum of the American Revolution and how the new Acropolis Museum in Athens can point us in another direction > more

Sign of the Times

Sign of the Times

November 21, 2011  |  Soapbox

Why is the city ignoring illegal bandit signs, which clutter vulnerable neighborhoods and prey on the poor and desperate? > more

Friends In High Places

Friends In High Places

November 8, 2011  |  Soapbox

Furness Week, day two: Frank Furness was architect to the post-Civil War stars, the super-rich who built the city we occupy today > more

Sexy-Ugly

Sexy-Ugly

November 7, 2011  |  Soapbox

First up for Furness Week here at Hidden City Daily we have Paul VanMeter of Viaduct Greene with his take on the Philadelphia architect's life and work: complex, powerful, and almost "deliberately perverse" > more

Not So Bad for an S.O.B.

Not So Bad for an S.O.B.

October 12, 2011  |  Soapbox

Development imminent, the writer reconsiders his long held impression that the building is a failure > more

Designing Together

Designing Together

October 6, 2011  |  Soapbox

With 500 projects in 20 years, the Community Design Collaborative shows us how to get it done > more

Opportunities Lost

Opportunities Lost

September 28, 2011  |  Soapbox

We've given away our power to wow, delight, and inform > more

Rowhouse Revised

Rowhouse Revised

September 26, 2011  |  Soapbox

An innovative affordable housing project in North Philly transcends its suburban appearance > more

Where Are My Mermaids and Horses?

Where Are My Mermaids and Horses?

September 22, 2011  |  Soapbox

A writer's lament for the lost public art of Delaware Avenue > more

A Beer Garden, Philly-style

A Beer Garden, Philly-style

September 19, 2011  |  Soapbox

A look at the German restaurant's architecture, which blends 19th century industrial ruin with 21st century beer garden > more

Blunt Needle

Blunt Needle

September 14, 2011  |  Soapbox

Wishing for a more nuanced experience at Penn Park > more