Sister Cities Sister Cities Pavilion & Discovery Garden builds on the successes of recent renovations at Logan Square and breathes fresh life and activity into a nearly forgotten corner of this great space.  Located across from the renowned Swan Fountain at Logan Square in Center City, Philadelphia, the project consists of a highly transparent park pavilion, cafe and visitor’s center. The pavilion functions in a multitude of settings from private functions to cultural events and community activities.  Support functions are embedded within the landforms that comprise the garden, enabling the pavilion to take full advantage of panoramic city views. 

 

Inspired by Fairmount Park’s rich geology, the substantial cantilever of the Pavilion’s vegetated roof forms a horizontal shelter that transitions from the monumental vertical scale of the city on one side of the park to the naturalistic landscape and intimate scale of the children’s garden on the other side of the park.

sister cities sketch
digsis12

The Pavilion Café looks out on both the Children’s Discovery Garden and the Parkway. The Pavilion’s prominent cantilevered roof structure and highly transparent structural glass blur the divide between interior and exterior spaces.

 

"You are part of the city as well as the countryside."

Inga Saffron
digsis34

Borrowing from the material palette of Fairmount Park’s historic park pavilions, the design uses warmly colored, natural materials to frame expansive views of the Parkway through the Pavilion’s structurally glazed exterior wall.

 

The wood ceiling and stone floor extend outward from the building’s interior into the plaza beyond. Skylights penetrate the structure’s massive green roof, bringing direct sunlight into the building.

Recognition:

2014 Urban Land Institute Bill Rouse Award for Design Excellence
2013 AIA Pennsylvania Honor Award
2013 AIA Philadelphia Honor Award
2012 International Downtown Association Merit Award
2011 AIA Pennsylvania Merit Award, Unbuilt
2010 AIA Philadelphia Honor Award, Unbuilt

Projects

Frances M. Maguire Art Museum - St. Joseph's University

All-School Commons – Germantown Friends School

Loggia Loft

PPR Residence Hall - Swarthmore College

Discovery Center - Outward Bound & Audubon Society

Wexler Gallery

Center For Advanced Technologies - Bucks County Community College

The Cooper

Caesar Rodney Hall - University of Delaware

Jefferson School

Greene Street Friends School

Campus Bookstore & Development Office - University of Delaware

Margaret Passmore Trickey Building

Delaware History Museum

Bigham Leatherberry Wise Place - People's Emergency Center

150 Rouse Boulevard

Class of 1986 Fitness and Wellness Center - Princeton University

The Clay Studio

Basecamp Delta

The Study at University City

Matchbox - Swarthmore College

Housing Northwest Arkansas

Arts Café Expansion & Renovation - University of Pennsylvania

Gore Capabilities Center

Dogfish Head Brews and Eats

Construction Training & Education Center

Tyler School of Art - Temple University

Library Playspace

Intercultural Engagement Center - University of Delaware

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

Yards Brewery

Aqua Foro

Iovance Biotherapeutics

Gibbs Center Production Studio – Challenge Program

Pavilion & Children's Discovery Garden at Sister Cities Park

Gettysburg Montessori School

Edible Garden and Classroom - Tyler Arboretum

SEPTA Bus Shelters

WP Point Event Space & Lodge

Philadelphia Union Training Facility

The Global Learning Center

Shallcross Hall - Friends Central School

The Cove

201 Rouse Boulevard

351 Rouse Boulevard

Barnegat House

Courtyard House

Rural Loft

DIGSAU

340 North 12th Street

Suite 421

Philadelphia, PA 19107

v 215.627.0808

e info@digsau.com

www.instagram.com/digsau_architecture

 

 

 

Architect/Designer

We are seeking a full-time architectural architect or designer with exceptional graphic and illustration skills along with drafting and modeling abilities. The roles and responsibilities of the Architect/Designer position include broad exposure to many aspects of project design and delivery, including participation in developing design concepts, creating presentation materials, working on construction documents, and assisting in construction administration. The ideal candidate should have interiors (FFE) experience and must be a multi-tasking, detail-oriented, hard-working team player. 

View full job description here.

 

Summer Architectural Internship

We are seeking a temporary Architectural Designer with exceptional graphic and illustration skills as well as drafting abilities for our summer internship program. The roles and responsbilities of the Architectural Designer position include a budding interest into a broad exposure to many aspects of project design and delivery, including participation in developing design concepts, creating presentation materials, working on construction documents, and assisting in construction administration. The candidate must be adaptable and able to work to prioritizing tasks with Project Architect supervision; demonstrate an imaginative, creative and innovative design solutions to technical problems; be flexible, a motivated multi-tasker, detail-oriented, and a hard-working team player.

View full job descripton here.

 

 

DIGSAU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a participant in the U.S. Federal E-Verify program. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.   Salary is commensurate with experience and skill, including a comprehensive benefits package.  DIGSAU offers medical, dental, life insurance benefits, company 401k and profit-sharing plan, paid holidays and paid time off, as well as an annual professional development stipends and certification reimbursements for continual improvement. 

 

Applicants should send a Letter of Interest, Resume, and Portfolio in one PDF document, not to exceed 5MB, to:  employment@digsau.com; No phone calls, please.