The Lay of the Land

William Penn, the Philadelphia’s Quaker founder, planned the city as a grid, making it remarkably easy to navigate. Numbered streets run north and south starting at the Delaware river, the city’s eastern boundary, with Broad Street replacing 14th Street. Streets running west to east are generally named after trees with a few exceptions such as Market Street between Filbert and Chestnut streets.

The city’s earliest historic core, along the Delaware river, is today known as Old City where Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and the Society Hill neighborhood are located. The city gradually expanded westward toward the Schuylkill River, named for the Dutch word for hidden river. Today, Philadelphians refer to the central sections of the city between the rivers as Center City, the local term for downtown. Across the Schuylkill River, where the 30th Street rail station is located, is the section called West Philadelphia. West Philadelphia is a vibrant multicultural neighborhood with a burgeoning life science biotech industry. It also is home to Drexel University and the University of Pennsylvania, which is hosting the conference.


Venues

The first event of the Symposium is the Hassrick House panel, tour and demonstration, hosted by the Center for the Preservation of Modernism at Thomas Jefferson University. The Symposium opening keynote on Wednesday and Thursday sessions will be held at Meyerson Hall, home to the Weitzman School of Design, on Penn’s campus at 210 South 34th Street between Walnut and Spruce Streets. On Friday, the Symposium will held at Beth Sholom Synagogue in Elkins Park, PA. Buses will pick up from both Meyerson Hall and Loews to go to Beth Sholom. On Saturday, buses will also leave from the 34th Street side of Meyerson Hall.

 


Getting Around 

Penn’s campus is easily accessible by the Philadelphia rail and subway system, called SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority). The SEPTA rail and subway lines and Amtrak line converge at the architecturally magnificent main 30th Street Train Station in West Philadelphia, a 15-20 minute walk from Meyerson Hall. From there, most areas of metropolitan Philadelphia and beyond can be reached.  

Public Transit

The closest SEPTA station to Meyerson Hall (on the Market-Frankford line, designated as blue on all signage) is located at Market & 34th Streets. The Market-Frankford line runs trains every 5 minutes or less from 7:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m.; every 10 minutes from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. and every 12 minutes, 8:00 p.m. to midnight. Kiosks are located at the entrance to each subway stops and fares can be purchased  with a credit/debit card using the machines. You will receive a “key card,” to access the trains. The fee is $2.50 per ride but a three-day pass can be purchased for $18 that would easily take you through the conference for 3 days.

The Fare Kiosks and the major SEPTA Sales Offices accept cash, credit cards, and debit cards. You can also use Apple Pay, Google Pay, & Samsung Pay to purchase/reload a SEPTA Key card at a Fare Kiosk or Sales Office.

Go to www.septa.org for a map and further transit information about public transportation serving metropolitan Philadelphia. 

Philly on Foot

Year, after year, Philadelphia is rated as one of the best walking cities in the country. The city’s terrain is flat and the layout is simple to master and compact with five original public squares – Franklin, Washington, Rittenhouse, Logan and Centre (now City Hall) conveniently spread out, serving as perfect rest stops. The city is also boasts Fairmount Park, the largest urban park in the United States, with plenty of activities and walking/jogging trails.

Bike Sharing

Philadelphia is very bike friendly with a city-wide bike sharing that offers rentals starting at $4 per ride. Cyclists can walk up to any Indego station and check out a bike for trips around the city 24 hours a day. Using a touchscreen kiosk, bikes are released from their docks when payment is made with a credit card. You then return rentals to the nearest station after their ride is complete. 


Hotel Accommodations

THE STUDY AT UNIVERSITY CITY

Inspired by the architecture of Philadelphia and the skills of local craftspeople, The Study at University City is Study Hotels' second property, located in the heart of vibrant University City near Drexel University and the University of Pennsylvania. The Study at University City sets new expectations for comfort and service and brings energy to the neighborhood as a unique destination where visitors, culture seekers, professors, students, families and locals intersect to enjoy approachable hospitality and a comfortable space to relax and renew.

The Study is a short three block walk to Meyerson Hall on the Penn campus, our main Symposium venue on Wednesday and Thursday. 

Valet parking is available for $46/night with in and out privileges.


The Study at University City reservations will include:  

  • Complimentary internet

  • Complimentary coffee served in the Living Room from 6 am-10 am

  • Complimentary access to 24-hour fitness center 


Start date: Monday May 30, 2022
End date: Sunday June 5, 2022
Last day to book: April 30, 2022 Extended to May 16, 2022

Standard room (Single/Double): $279/night

 

Booking link for The Study at University City

If you have any issues booking through the website, please call the hotel directly at 215-3987-1400.


 

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA DORMS

Docomomo US is pleased to partner with the University of Pennsylvania Facility Services to offer affordable, on campus dorm stay options. Guests will stay in either Hill College House or one of the three Hamilton Village High Rise buildings (Harnwell, Rodin and Harrison). Hill College House was designed by Eero Saarinen and recently given an award-winning restoration. The t-shaped Hamilton Village High Rise apartments were constructed in the early 1970s and designed by George Holmes Perkins, former Dean of the Graduate School of Fine Arts. They were given an overhaul that was completed in the early 2000s. 

Guests can indicate a preference for a particular dorm but can not be guaranteed their top choice. All rooms are private single rooms. The High Rise apartments include a private bathroom, Hill College features shared bathrooms.

Start Date: Tuesday, May 31st
End Date: Saturday, June 4th, 2022

You must cancel, change or edit your reservation 2 weeks in advance in order to receive a refund. Any reservations canceled after May 16, 2022, are not subjected to a refund.

Private Single Room:
$60/night, plus a one-time fee of $27 for a temporary ID/room card. 
Bedding necessities including a comforter, pillow, sheets, towel, and washcloth can be rented for $110.00.

You will need to create an "Iris" account through the University in order to reserve a room. 

Booking link for University of Pennsylvania dorms

LOEWS PHILDELPHIA HOTEL 

Located in the architectural landmark PSFS building, the nation’s first modern skyscraper, the 4-Diamond Loews Philadelphia Hotel is a true classic. The 36-story steel-framed building rises 491 feet above street level. Polished black granite, light gray limestone, black and gray brick, and stainless steel create form and massing on the building’s exterior. Architects George Howe and William Lescaze were involved with the entire design of the building down to the smaller details including sign graphics, bathroom fixtures, and clocks manufactured by Cartier. The most visible feature of the building is the 27-foot high “PSFS” roof sign that is a focal point of the Philadelphia skyline. As a result of the thoughtful use of materials and design, the building has been an enduring presence since it opened in 1932. Located in the heart of center city, it is within walking distance of shopping, theatre, cultural attractions and restaurants. 

To reach Meyerson Hall, our Symposium venue for Wednesday and Thursday, go outside the hotel to the 13th Street subway station and take the Market-Frankford Line, west to the 34th Street stop. We recommend you leave the hotel 30 minutes prior to when you would like to arrive at Meyerson Hall.

It would be a 40 minute 1.8 mile walk west on Market Street to Meyerson Hall from the Loews Hotel.

If you are driving, it is about a 15 minute car ride and there are several parking garages near Meyerson Hall. The closest garage is located at 3335 Chestnut Street, but accessible via 34th Street at Ludlow. 

Loews Philadelphia Hotel reservations will include:  

  • Complementary internet 
  • Complementary use of the fitness club 
  • 10% valet parking discount 


Start Date: Friday, May 27, 2022
End Date: Wednesday, June 8, 2022

Last Day to Book: Monday May 2, 2022

 

Deluxe Guest Room (Single/Double): $199.00/night plus tax
Triple: $224.00
Quad: $249.00

 

Booking link for Loews Philadelphia Hotel Room block sold out. We recommend booking at The Study. The Study room block has been extended to May 16th.

If you prefer to book at Loews, visit their website or call 215-627-1200 to book directly.

 

Travel to Philadelphia

Flying

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)  is located 7 miles from the city's downtown area and has 25 airlines that offer nearly 500 daily departures to more than 130 destinations worldwide. 

Transportation to/from Philadelphia International Airport

The SEPTA train's Airport Line serves all major airport terminals and reach 30th Street Station in about 20 minutes and Center City in about 25 minutes. Transfer to the Market-Frankford line and get off at 34th Street for the Study Hotel or Meyerson Hall. Get off at Suburban Station in Center City and walk about 5 blocks to get to Loews Hotel.

The airport has road access from an interchange with I-95, which heads north toward Center City Philadelphia. Rental cars are available through a number of companies; each operates a shuttle bus between its facility and the terminals. 

Taxis and ride-sharing services both serve the airport.

Regional travel

For those closer by looking to take public transit, Philadelphia can be reached by train on Amtrak, SEPTA, NJ Transit (with transfer to SEPTA), or a variety of regional buses such as Megabus, OurBus, and Greyhound. The main train station is 30th Street Suburban Station.


More Information 

Other helpful web site to your visit to Philadelphia:


Map

The following Google map shows important Symposium locations.