Romaldo Giurgola/ Ehrman Mitchell
Some of the non residential projects of Mitchell/Giurgola firm are featured at the bottom of this page
ROMALDO GIURGOLA, an Italian émigré to Philadelphia, was profoundly affected by Kahn yet designed with his own singular vision. He saw architecture as experienced in pieces, or "fragments" which were part of a larger context. Each building is a piece, or fragment, of the surroundings, and not complete on its own. Inside, the series of rooms would have their own "narrative landscape," creating a series of views and situations which would then be experienced as a full composition. Nonetheless, Giurgola's designs emphasized function and he evaluated the success of a project by "how well it promotes human accomodation."
Ehrman Mitchell studied architecture at the University of
Pennsylvania. The first project of the partnership was the Wright
Brothers Museum at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The firm became
internationally prominent for the Australia National Parliament House
(1980). Other significant buildings include the Swarthmore College
Music Building, Volvo headquarters in Gothenburg,Sweden, and the
Anchorage Historical and Fine Arts Museum.
LINK TO the work of the Mitchell/Giurgola firm
Mitchell Residence 1956
Private residence of Ehrman B. Mitchell (1924-2005) co-founding partner at Mitchell/Giurgola
The
Mitchell Residence is one of the best examples of mid-century
residential architecture in the region, combining grand spaces with an
intimate overall scale. This house incorporates the Philadelphia
mid-century trademark use of stone and walls of glass in a perfect
blend, giving the home a feeling of substance, yet open to the outdoors. For more information about this home please go to www.Mid-CenturyMasterpiece.com
photo above and below by Barry Halkin link Halkin Architectural Photogarphy
1956 appearance prior to Mitchell's master bedroom and carport addition
side view prior to dining room addition
This home below in Chestnut Hill by the firm built Mitchell/Giurgola in 1963. This house, built along a gently curving drive, was originally designed for a single female author and painter. It is a dynamic composition of three cubic spaces that pinwheel around a central, two-story stair hall. The unusually large living room creates an open floor plan and achieves a grandeur rarely found in a one-story house. The architecture here, most closely identified with the International Style, contrasts sharply with the low-slung linearity of many other houses of the period.
main stairs looking toward living room
The series of 7 photos below are of the
G. Holmes and Georgia Perkins House (1966-1968) by the Firm of Ehrman
Mitchell / Romaldo Giurgola
Below are a collection of additional building by the firm Mitchell/Giurgola
First large scale project of the firm
was at the University of Pennsylvania Museum, Academic Wing (additions
and alterations,1965-1971)
6 photos below are of the United Way Building(1968-1971)
INA Building (1973) Penn Mutual Tower (1976)
Index to MODERN HOMES PHILADELPHIA History Pages
Overview of Philadelphia Area Mid-Century Modern Residential Architecture (below on this page) Photo overview followed by brief written overview of Philadelphia mid-century architects .
Time Line of area modern homes from 1930's to today Mid-Century Modern Homes
Architects Who Designed Mid-Century Modern Homes in the Philadelphia Region
photographs of the regional homes designed by each architect are included
