Frequently Asked Questions
What do you hope to accomplish by creating the Center for Architecture?
The built environment in which we live is created by merging of professional creativity and knowledge with aspirations of a client and the community. The Center will support the collaboration of design professionals and engage the public; the result will improve professional skills and heighten the aspirations of our community for excellence in the design of the physical environment.
Who will guide the Center?
The Center is an independent nonprofit charitable corporation with its own Board of Directors. Currently that Board includes the Executive Committee of the AIA Board of Directors and four additional members. The Center's Board has eight unfilled positions that will be filled as the partnership relationships and the community involvement of the Center expand. These Board positions will be filled by early 2008.
Who will decide what happens at the Center?
A programming committee is in formation and will take the lead in designing and choosing the programs that will be undertaken in the Center.
What is the expected public access to the Center?
The exhibit space is adjacent to the AIA Bookstore and will be monitored by its staff. Therefore the exhibit gallery and the Bookstore will share the same hours of operation. Currently the store is open 360 days each year.
Does the facility have expansion options for the future?
The Center purchased Condominium Unit #1 at 1216 Arch Street. That unit contains almost 23,000 square feet of usable space on the first floor and the basement. There are three tenants in the space currently that will remain for the immediate future providing much needed financial income. As those leases change or opportunities develop the Center has the excellent opportunity to expand its space and include additional facilities and amenities. A cafe is currently being explored.
Will the Bookstore continue to be successful at this new location?
Careful evaluation has been made on the future of the Bookstore. Anticipating the worst outcome the current business plan expects the store to lose about one third of its sales based on its lengthened distance from the Rittenhouse Square community. The opportunity that is untested by any similar retail operator, except the Reading Terminal Market, will be expanded sales to attendees at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Twenty percent of the stores current sales are from the internet and AIA members. We expect to continue all of that business at the new site.
What identity and name will be used at the new facility?
The name of the new facility has been discussed at length and continues to be discussed with current and future partners. While the name decision may remain open for a few more months the current view is to consider the entire location the Center for Architecture and indicate that it is the home of, AIA Philadelphia, Community Design Collaborative, and AIA Bookstore and Design Center. Special exhibits and future partnerships will be handled as they develop.
Is this Center the only one in the country?
Several cities, through their AIA Chapters, have created Centers that support the broader community and the design professions. New York and San Francisco currently have operating Centers. Each Center is configured somewhat differently. Philadelphia will join this group of Centers and be positioned to provide excellent accessibility for exhibits and meetings.
When will the Center open?
The Center and all of its components will open in spring 2008. While the time is short there are teams of accomplished architects and contractors working to finish the facility on time.
Why do you need a new facility? Could you simply use another rental facility without the need to raise so much money?
For over 25 years the AIA has worked to be a public presence in Philadelphia. The current AIA Bookstore accomplished this wonderfully in the past. The AIA Bookstore has outgrown its existing space and its location has also become such a valuable retail location that its rent will soon outpace its ability to retain the sale of low margin books. So to sustain the Bookstore and expand the capacity of public engagement the AIA has searched for and found an excellent alternative in the 1200 block of Arch Street.
This new facility will make possible the substantially expanded mission that the AIA has been seeking and as a condominium owner the Center will provide a secure location to build for the future and engage in more charitable initiatives. This is a, once in a generation opportunity to serve the architectural profession, build stronger professional collaborations and engage the broader public in the work for design excellence and quality communities.
