At first glance, the small, simple and slightly lopsided stone house with a sloping red roof and a concrete column, looks almost inconspicuous through the thicket of tall trees. Especially if you’ve been driving through the verdant countryside of Philadelphia and feasting your eyes on the sprawling estate mansions that occupy generous plots of land amidst the undulating, wooded landscape. But step inside the seemingly unremarkable house, and you’ll be transported to a fantastical world of art, design and craftsmanship that will leave you with awe and admiration. This is the studio of famed sculptor and furniture designer Wharton Esherick, and as part of the larger Wharton Esherick Museum, it’s designated as a National Historic Landmark for Architecture in the US.
It is also one of the many significant bastions of art and architecture in and around Philadelphia that make the lively city and its beautiful countryside a veritable paradise for lovers of all things design. Over a week here, I spent endless hours wandering through many magnificent museums and picturesque gardens, trying to soak in as much of the design and art inspirations that were on offer. Of the ones that left the most indelible impression on me, I detail the must-visits below:
WHARTON ESHERICK MUSEUM
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Denne historien er fra April 2023-utgaven av Architecture + Design.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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THE YELLOW BOX
In this Kerala home, geometry, colour, and pattern come together to create a space that's as much a work of art as it is a living space
WHISPERS AGAINST URBAN NOISE
Where modern design meets Goan tranquility, a tropical villa designed by Natasha Chawla and Parzan Daruwalla reimagines architecture as a sanctuary of slowness, challenging the urban hustle one thoughtful space at a time
WHERE MODERNITY MEETS ANTIQUITY
In Mumbai's iconic World Towers, Eshita Marwah, in collaboration with Rutvan Sheth, transforms a 4,000-square-foot residence by fusing centuries-old antiques with cutting-edge design. This extraordinary home features the world's highest music studio, all while offering sweeping 270-degree views of the Arabian Sea
THE MODERN BLUE
This light-filled family home in Jodhpur, designed by 42MM Architecture, balances modernism with cultural fidelity
DELHI HEIGHTS
This Delhi home by Design Deconstruct reflects the city's 'more is never quite enough' perspective
THE ART OF STONE
World of Stones brings walls, floors, and outdoor spaces to life with stone creations that inspire.
ORVI'S ARTISTIC REVOLUTION
By empowering traditional artisans with modern tools and vision, Orvi is transforming centuries-old techniques into contemporary masterpieces
JAIPUR'S NEWEST JEWEL
Designed by Shantanu Garg, 1932 Trevi opens its doors with an unforgettable evening hosted by Falguni Shane Peacock in collaboration with Lifestyle Asia and Travel+Leisure India
RAHUL KADRI: ARCHITECT OF IMPACT
From leading IMK Architects to chairing initiatives like the Mumbai Architects Collective, Rahul Kadri unpacks the urgent need for policy reform, pedestrian-first cities, and a bold reimagining of the Maharashtra Town Planning Act, offering a visionary roadmap for sustainable, people-centric urban design
FROM Sketches ΤΟ SKY HOUSES
Few design studios can boast such longevity, and fewer still can claim to have consistently redefined how people live within their spaces. AND Design Co., founded in 2000 by Archana and Rupesh Baid, is one such rare entity. Joined last year by their daughter Sia Baid, the boutique firm has evolved into a family-led powerhouse of creativity, innovation, and thoughtful craftsmanship
