Forget the dog days of summer with a celebration of edible education, architects in conversation, a sustainability tour, and a one-day community workshop exploring the creative opportunities of urban revitalization.

The Into the Open exhibition highlights architects who are working collaboratively to invigorate community activism and environmental policy. The National Constitution Center, in partnership with Slought Foundation, invites you to take part in a series of public programs during August. These engaging, thought-provoking activities will take place at the National Constitution Center and non-traditional urban settings, with public programming partner the Community Design Collaborative

The Energy Coordinating Agency has received a 1.1 $ million grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to renovate its warehouse in Kensington as a LEED Silver training center for green jobs. The grant will give a big boost to the $1.8 million project and Pennsylvania’s place in the emerging green economy.

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A green wall system will make Dickinson Square's community building more sustainable and welcoming.

Posted by Linda Dottor
The dedicated members of Friends of Dickinson Square  regularly pick up litter and tend the park’s 25 fledgling shade trees. But, in 2007, the group realized that it needed to take a longer view to be good stewards of this well-loved, well-worn public park in Pennsport. Friends of Dickinson Square sought help from the Collaborative to develop a conceptual master plan for future park improvements. Read Full Story

Posted by Haley Loram
Another one of our projects that has forward momentum is volunteer firm Interface Studio Architects’ 20-unit sustainable housing development for the Associacion de Puertorriquenos en Marcha. ISA did the conceptual design for this project through the Affordable Infill Housing Design Challenge in 2005.  Sheridan Street Housing  broke ground on September 10th, 2008.

Beth Miller, Brian Phillips and May Narintorn of ISA, Beverly Coleman of NeighborhoodsNow, and Heidi Segall Levy get together at the September 10th, 2008 groundbreaking.

An orchard and raised planters are integrated into play areas in the sustainable master landscape plan.

Posted by Linda Dottor
Yesterday’s column by Philadelphia Inquirer’s Monica Yant Kinney’s praised the Cook-Wissahickon School in Roxborough as a public school success. The school is a stand-out for its embrace of excellence, diversity, and (with an assist from the Community Design Collaborative) sustainability. Read Full Story