Annenberg Public Policy Center at PENN (ASIAN ARCHITECTS / DESIGNERS / ARTISTS OF PHILLY)

By Milton Lau

This story is part of a series featuring Asian Architects / Designers / Artists of Philly. We will be highlighting incredible murals that are a part of Mural Arts Philadelphia, urban street art that is part of Philadelphia Museum of Art's collection or other collections, urban spaces that embody Asian culture, and buildings designed by some of the most renowned architects from around the world. We will be featuring short blog posts written by members of Urban Design Committee, as well as guest posts by Committee on the Environment, Environmental Justice subcommittee. Stay tuned for more!

The Annenberg Public Policy Center at PENN (APPC), completed 2009, was designed by the firm Maki and Associates, led by the renowned Fumihiko Maki. 

“Its material palette of layered glass and wood complements nearby buildings, while still presenting a modern and open image of warm transparency.”

The above narrative offered by Maki states the beautifully simple impact of the wood building within a glass building that elegantly responds to its context.

The public best approaches the APPC from 36th Street Walk which connects Walnut Street to Locust Walk on PENN's campus.  Its form and materials communicate the mission of APPC and its motto; “Research and Engagement That Matter.”  Its scholars have addressed the role of communication in politics, science, adolescent behavior, child development, health care, suicide prevention, civics, and mental health, among other important areas.  Central to the building, which hosts university along with APPC events, is a multi-purpose Agora.

The center's 49,087 sf of space also houses offices, conference rooms, and broadcast facilities. Although rigorous in its composition, its armature accommodates entry, changes in grade, scale and bringing in daylight which nestles it in an understated way into its site. A visit to the site offers an opportunity to experience the full building in its setting as well as the chance to see its conceptual strength in the model easily visible behind the glass façade on the north east corner.

Fumihiko Maki opened his own firm in 1965 following his education at University of Tokyo, Cranbrook, Harvard, and practice with firms such as SOM and Sert Jackson. Maki has maintained an active interest in education while continuing to grow his 45-person practice, now known as Maki and Associates. Foremost among Maki's many distinctions is the Pritzker Prize - often regarded as the “Nobel Prize for Architecture” awarded to Maki in 1993. In 2011, the American Institute of Architects honored Maki with its highest accolade, the AIA Gold Medal.

Photo Caption:

Left and Bottom Right: Maki& Associates;

Top Right: Milton Lau

Further information:

On the Annenberg center

https://www.annenbergpublicpolicycenter.org/about/

On Maki & Associates work

http://www.maki-and-associates.co.jp/details/index.html?pcd=90

On Fumihiko Maki

http://www.maki-and-associates.co.jp/firm/index.html