Author Archive

Michael Burlando

Michael Burlando is a designer, builder, photographer, and lover of all things Philadelphia. While earning his Master of Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania, Michael restored an 1870's Victorian rowhouse. After graduation he spent two years at the Chicago office of Skidmore, Owings, and Merill before returning to Philadelphia with his wife in 2010. He now manages construction projects for Columbus Construction, lives in Graduate Hospital, runs the revived Philly Skinny, and blogs at brlndoblog.blogspot.com.

Let's Fly a Better Flag for Philadelphia

Let’s Fly a Better Flag for Philadelphia

October 11, 2013  |  Soapbox

Flags can be a powerful way of strengthening civic pride, but Philly's flag needs a new design in order to capture the public's imagination, argues Michael Burlando > more

Ghosts In The System

Ghosts In The System

May 13, 2013  |  Vantage

Frequent Google Street Viewers know what Michael Burlando has discovered: there's a virtual ghost city of blocks and buildings and places that only endure online. Here are some of his best finds > more

Field Guide To New Row House Construction, Part Four

Field Guide To New Row House Construction, Part Four

November 27, 2012  |  Vantage

In this final part of our Field Guide To New Row House Construction, architect Michael Burlando goes A to Z reviewing 26 contemporary Graduate Hospital row houses that hope to break the mold > more

Phillyhenge, Or The City As Sundial

Phillyhenge, Or The City As Sundial

September 5, 2012  |  Vantage

Tonight at 7:24, the sunset will align with the city's street grid. It's a phenomenon called "henge," for Stonehenge, and it happens several times a year. Michael Burlando explains > more

Hoist Up Your Azure and Maize

Hoist Up Your Azure and Maize

March 27, 2012  |  Soapbox

Today, on Philly Flag Day, architect and Hidden City Daily contributor Michael Burlando wonders if it isn't time to reconsider the design of the city flag > more