I thought this was one of Inga's better articles. What she discusses is something that should be considered for future street level development.

http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news...-up_spot_.html

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...couldn't agree more. To me the greatest tragedies in the Kimmel's design are its unnecessary protruding stone on Broad Street and its out-of-place red brick on Spruce...nothing flashy, daring, or, most importantly, inviting about it. That being said, I do think the inside is quite awe inspiring and the restaurant is pretty good too...ever been?

Signed,
Season ticket holder.

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“Man who run in front of car get tired.”

i'm pleasantly surpised this is happening so soon. the center's an absolute design monstrosity from an architect that believes "a certain level of discomfort is good. It keeps you alert."

I hope this starchitect trend dies a quick sudden death.

http://www.rpac.org/building/rvqa.php
http://www.observer.com/term/30095

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designphiladelphia.wordpress.com

The Alvin Ailey bldg in NYC has ground floor dance studios so that people on the street can watch dancers rehearsing.

They even have little benches set up so you can sit for a while. With so many fabulous dance companies in Philly, I would love to see something like this. It is a glorious way to enliven the streetscape.

...lets get some phillyblog monies together and start construction of Philadanco's flagship performance space. To fit the exoticness (totally not a word) of the troupe's repitoire, we can make it nice and modern...truly modern, not like the Kimmel's half-a$sed attempt at it. And yes, totaly include window space to watch the dancers.

Between that and my attempt to get a Sonic franchise, I've been spending a lot lately. There goes that new pair of eyeglasses I wanted

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“Man who run in front of car get tired.”

Here's a radical concept that may one day become a trend even: windows. To get really crazy, windows with clear glass you can see through.

The thing is built like a fortress because that's what the suburbanites who venture inside want. Wall off the city.

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– Brigadier General Julius C. Holmes
Allied Forces Headquarters
4 March 1943

I happen to think that the building is great..but agree that some changes would make it more inviting.

I'd like to see the doors seldom locked...there should be music playing at all times and this place could use some video screens playing music, previewing concerts and making this place a magnet for visitors even if you don't have a ticket for that day's show.

I'd like to see a video screen on the outside of the building advertising the shows as well. I need to hear music to get me in the mood to pay for it.

Perhaps the store could be moved and the box office as well and some inviting cafe or restaurant placed there.

I heard that the people in the box office didn't want music in the building because it would be distracting. Ummm....tough luck. Move the box office. Or cap it. Or whatever.

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www.inafunk.com
KOOZA REVIEW>>>NEW


HEY PHILLYBLOG - SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!

I like that idea. Video advertisements of the event as well as "music of the Kimmel" playing outside throughout the day as you pass.

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The Kimmel's need for street-level activity are dire. But through what channels would such changes even take place? No one associated with the project's funding is about to pull together another package to make these changes. This is particularly true when one considers that the place is barely seven years old.

The Broad Street facade is probably the biggest problem, IMO. The entire southern end of this side is beleaguered by dead space, the random window at the southeastern corner of the building, and then the tragic ramp to the underground parking facility. As the U. Arts next door is not particularly tall, or dramatic, it doesn't offer a way to continue a vital street life south from the Kimmel Center, either.

I think perhaps the most logical idea that has been tossed around by Inga and many posters here, is that the corner ticket booth could be moved and a restaurant or some other activity-generating use could be installed at the northeast corner of the Kimmel. I hope to see something like this.

As for the 1950's era department store display windows along Spruce...that's another challenge. I always feel like those windows, and the overhead marquees with the spotlights, feel like some kind of downtown department store after its 1948 renovation. Humor me on this - especially if you've seen a store building that felt like that. Macy's KC, Foley's Houston, etc.

The building is so wrong . . . . . frankly, I'd turn the thing into an aquarium. Just fill it with water, add fish.

Vinoly clearly did not understand Philadelphia. He forced a concept ill suited for the given site. May he sleep with the fishes.

Seriously - I understand that the AIA book store and AIA headquarters are moving from their 17th and Sansom location. Given the amount of traffic that the architects' book store generates, it would be have interesting to see the Philadelphia Chapter of the AIA move into the Kimmel. Would add lots of people (and would be a odd turn to have the AIA chapter in such a failure of a building).

So - best fix, anything that adds people 24-7. Bookstore, Starbucks, live music, cars (car show cross over - "come to the Kimmel to see concept cars -for free- get discount tickets for the car show"), plants (Flower Show cross over), art from the Art Museum (its a theme, link to all Philly institutions), comfy seating, cyber cafe, have Ryan Howard try to hit a baseball over the top from Broad Street on opening day . . . . .