For the last three years, PORT has designed vibrant public spaces and pavilions for the Summer at Eakins Oval program, piloting long-term design strategies and collecting feedback to inform permanent transformation of Philly’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Client: Fairmount Park Conservancy; Philadelphia Parks and Recreation; The Knight Foundation
Awards: 2017 AIA Chicago Small Projects Award; 2018 Philadelphia ULI Awards Finalist; 2018 AIA Pennsylvania Award; 2019 AIA Philadelphia Award
Each year of the annual six-week summer installation has brought an expanded scope and ambition, as well as a unique theme based on feedback collected the previous year.PORT’s first year of leading the Oval in 2017 kicked off by asking Philadelphia “What’s Your Parkway?”. In 2018, PORT delivered “More Park, More Play” and expanded the installation down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, turning a lane of traffic over to bikes and pedestrians. Most recently, 2019 brought favorites back to the Oval, including a giant sandbox and misting pavilion (Mr. Mister), while significantly extended programming and activities down nearly a half mile of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Consultant Team: Philadelphia Mural Arts; Heads of State(2018); Penn Praxis (2017-18)
Photograph courtesy of the Fairmount Park Conservancy.
Photograph courtesy of the Fairmount Park Conservancy.
Photograph courtesy of the Fairmount Park Conservancy.
Photograph courtesy of the Fairmount Park Conservancy.
Photograph courtesy of the Christian Zwit.
Photograph courtesy of the Fairmount Park Conservancy.
Photograph courtesy of the Fairmount Park Conservancy.