Category / Community Involvement

The 2021 Preservation Achievement Awards program took place in a virtual ceremony (for the last time I hope) on Wednesday, June 9 at 5:30 PM. It was our 28th annual awards program, and marked the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Preservation Alliance. The Awards received rave reviews, now you can watch the show…

Philadelphia has many historic African American sites because it was a major destination for African Americans fleeing the oppressive South. Unfortunately barely one percent of the Pennsylvania listings on the National Register of Historic Places are related to African American history. Some changes are being made, and in 2012, the National Park Service added Joe…

Allegheny West Foundation worked with the Community Design Collaborative's design team to expand on the City of Philadelphia's recent improvements to the North 22nd Street Commercial Corridor that included new sidewalks, crosswalks, and lighting. The goal was to further improve the pedestrian experience with a new pocket park and façade improvements for both businesses and…

The City of Philadelphia and the Bethel Burying Ground Historic Site Memorial Committee are commissioning a public art memorial to recognize and celebrate the African Americans buried at the historic Bethel Burying Ground, located beneath Weccacoe Playground in Queen Village. The City and the Committee selected four public art memorial design concepts to choose from…

The Edmund N. Bacon Urban Design Awards (EBUDA), Dr. Mindy Fullilove, Student Question and Answer event with selected students in the Community College of Philadelphia. Unique with this event the EBUDA committee arranged for Dr. Fullilove to speak directly to the a group of selected students from the Community College of Philadelphia's Architecture, Design & Construction Department.…

East Coast Executives & Brandywine Realty Trust hosted a discussion on diversity, equity and inclusion in Architecture including a tribute to Julian Abele. This panel of leaders in the field of Architecture discussed Architecture and Design careers and actionable measures to advance diversity. Moderator: Michael Spain, Director of Design Education at Center for Architecture and…

Ian was honored to serve as a judge for the 2020 Elizabeth Mills Brown Award. The award is presented by AIA Connecticut and Preservation Connecticut and recognizes projects that are noteworthy both as respectful preservation of historic places and as excellent architectural designs. The award is named for the architectural historian and preservationist Elizabeth Mills…

Ian recently participated in a Black Design Professionals Coffee Talk Dignity in Design on June18th with the IIDA PA/NJ/DE Chapter. The question asked to the attendees was "How do you think your company/ leadership at your firm can better contribute to impacting Black employees/ aspiring professionals within their organizations?" to which the panelists discussed various…

Ian had the honor of being one of the speakers with the Commencement Address for the final C.H.A.D. (Charter High School for Architecture + Design). Along with Sir David Adjaye, Principal of Adjaye Associates, they were both awe inspired by the accomplishments of the students and look forward to what these graduates will accomplish. Congratulations…

The Annual Community Design Collaborative Event Thanks to COVID living, this event moved online and was a welcome break in relaxing for a Zoom gathering. Everyone was encouraged to bring their nibbles and enjoy a favorite beverage and check in with each other and many laughs were had. The biggest discussion was learning how everyone…