September 24, 2008
AIA Bookstore: New Location, Same Quality
Ask a local where the AIA bookstore (American Institute of Architects) is located in Philadelphia and without thinking, they would say it’s on the corner of 17th Sansom across from the Sofitel. Wait, you’re telling me it’s not there anymore? When did this happen?
In Feb of this year, the AIA had no choice but to close its doors to make way for a new hotel, which actually worked in their favor because they were planning on expanding into a larger faculty to continue their educational programs, expand community relations, and still have room for an exhibit gallery. That’s a lot!
On June 1st, in a much larger space, they reopened at their new location on 1218 Arch Street right across from the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Now known as the Center for Architecture, this space not only houses the bookstore but also the AIA offices, the Community Design Collaborative, event space and ever-changing exhibition gallery.
The store offers a wide selection of books in architecture, interior design, renovation, preservation and landscaping. Not to forget that they also have 3D Aalto models, work from local designers and children’s toys. Upon closer inspection of said children’s items, I found myself glued to a children’s book that had a built in hand puppet. Sooooo cute!!!
Having been in the previous location for over 28 years, they have many a loyal customer in Philadelphia especially during Christmas time with their extensive collection of holiday ornaments. December is only three months away.
So come get cozy with their new location because instead of renting the space, they bought it!
AIA Bookstore
1218 Arch Street
www.philadelphiacfa.org
Mon-Sat 10am-6pm
(no responses)
September 24, 2008, 9:09 am
Todd Kimmell says:
The space works as a bookstore, but it was supposed to be the Center For Architecture. If I understand the lay of the land there, the bookstore was to occupy a portion of the front, and was to serve as a draw to engage the public with an ever changing series of exhibitions just beyond. The bookstore has become the commanding experience, with little emotion left in the rest of the space to effectively embrace any sort of exhibit. What is there is plopped along the East wall as a sad afterthought.
I believe they should lose at least half of the bookstore, and rethink the gallery completely, making the act of stepping THROUGH the bookstore natural, desirable, compelling. Expand the exhibits to flow into and through the various meeting rooms. Breathe life into that space!
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