OU Architecture Professors Khosrow Bozorgi and Keith Gåddie recently announced the release of their new book, The Philadelphia House: Organic Architecture and Placemaking in Chestnut Hill, published by Rowman & Littlefield. The official release date is July 15, 2023, from Philadelphia House, but Amazon and Barnes & Noble have already announced the pre-ordering of the book.
The book explores the very beginning of the interwar period, where a small collection of formally trained architects created a distinctive residential type that is now recognized as a Philadelphia landmark. These architects surpassed the conventional pseudo-classic and eclectic neo-Gothic solutions through a unique adaptation of design principles to suit the exclusive cultural tradition of the clients and respond to the natural environment.
Bozorgi and Gåddie analyzed the works of three Philadelphia architectural firms to explore this proposition: Mellor, Meigs & Howe, McGoodwin, and Willing & Sims. As a basis, they used six houses constructed between 1917 and 1928 in the historic Chestnut Hill neighborhood. While these homes are aesthetically pleasing, they also represent the emergence of a new ‘type’ of architectural design, generally conceived as ‘organic’ architecture.
This work, which contains over 200 photographs and drawings, considers the houses, the training and development of the architects, the creation and development of Chestnut Hill itself, and the larger, distinct culture of Philadelphia in contributing to the emergence of this distinctive and lasting style.
Pre-order the book from Amazon or Barnes & Noble here.
The Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture congratulates Dr. Tammy McCuen, Robert E. Busch Professor of Construction Science, on beginning her term as president of the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC), an international organization dedicated to advancing construction education through teaching, research and service.
Following years of contributions to the College’s research and strategic initiatives, Gibbs College shares that Associate Dean for Research and External Engagement Angela M. Person, PhD, will step down from her position at Gibbs College as she moves to Tucson with her family, effective June 30, 2026.
On April 24, 2026, the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture hosted its annual Graduate Student Showcase, a celebration of research, design innovation, and creative exploration across all graduate programs within the College.
