Philadelphia architecture and Louis Kahn

Last month in Philadelphia, I was walking down the street, telling David that I'd seen a fascinating documentary, "My Architect" about Louis Kahn, produced by his son Nathaniel. When I looked up, I was thrilled to see the sign and realise I was standing in front of Louis Kahn's office. I also saw a small park near the antiques district that is named after Kahn.

Among Kahn's most famous designs is the capital of Bangladesh. Respected architects including I.M. Pei and Frank Gehry talk about Kahn's work in the documentary.

Last night I was flipping through a book I've had for years, Laura Cerwinski's In a Spiritual Style, when I came across a quotation by Louis Kahn. "The room is the beginning of architecture. You do not say the same thing in one room as you say in another, that's how sensitive a room is. A room is a marvelous thing, a world within a world. It's yours and offers a measure of yourself."

The top of the art deco building reminds me of the Chrysler Building in New York.

This photo was taken from a different angle and a different street, on a different day.

City views.

The city's giant clothespin sculpture at 15th and Market Streets. Designed by Claes Oldenburg, this 20-foot curiosity was featured in a scene in the Dan Ackroyd/Jamie Lee Curtis film Trading Places.

Isn't the blue art deco building beautiful?

Decorative detail.

Leaded windows on this old brick building with a stone eagle and portico.

A gold Philadelphia eagle, the city's historic symbol of liberty and freedom.

Purported site of the first American photograph.

An historic building next to an art supply store's mid-20th-century facade.

The Quaker Bank building.

Traditional brownstones in a downtown neighborhood.

An ornate door.

One of Philadelphia's many unique artists' murals throughout the city. See more here.

An edgy storefront complete with fake bullet holes in the Northern Liberties neighborhood. Read more about this diverse, artistic area here and here.

An old brick building for sale in Northern Liberties. Wish I had the money to buy it, gut it and create a live/work space.

A special treat

One of the best bits of my trip to Philadelphia was having lunch at the Capital Grille with the witty and talented Karen of Artsortments. She is charming and clever and fun and we didn't have nearly enough time together. We plan to make up for that during my next trip to Philadelphia.

Karen brought me this beautiful handmade card using copper, decorative gold trim and various materials. Sadly, this photo doesn't do it justice. Check out Artsortments to see Karen's gorgeous original creations.