--Saint-Gobain Parklet Design Competition, a pop-up design competition, takes over the south side of the 1200 block of Arch Street with parklets for conference goers and the general public to explore--

Malvern, Pa., May 9, 2016 – Saint-Gobain, one of the world’s largest building materials companies, presents the Saint-Gobain Parklet Design Competition, a pop-up design competition that will be held during the American Institute of Architects’ three-day national convention in the City of Philadelphia in 2016. On May 19 and May 20 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., the south side of Arch Street between 12th and 13th streets, will be lined with approximately a dozen parklets for conference attendees and the general public to explore.

“The Philadelphia Chapter of the American Institute of Architects is proud to host the AIA Convention 2016 and provide special programming such as the Saint-Gobain Parklet Design Competition,” said Rebecca Johnson, Executive Director of AIA Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Center for Architecture and Design. “Through the parklet design competition, AIA Philadelphia is giving design firms the opportunity to reimagine Philadelphia’s public realm the same way that Saint-Gobain continuously inspires the architecture and design community to reimagine the built environment.”

Pre-registered and approved Philadelphia-area design firms and organizations will design and install a parklet that will remain in place for one full day. The competition will feature approximately a dozen parklets on May 19 and approximately a dozen more on May 20. Entrants are encouraged to use the theme of this year’s convention, which is “imagine,” as their source of inspiration for their parklet design.  

“Saint-Gobain has been creating products that are key to people’s comfort and well-being since 1665 and has called Philadelphia home since 1948,” said John Crowe, President and CEO of Saint-Gobain and its North American construction materials subsidiary, CertainTeed Corporation. “As the sponsor of the pop-up design competition, we look forward to welcoming people to Philadelphia to explore everything AIA Convention 2016 has to offer, including the parklets that will be temporarily installed outside the Pennsylvania Convention Center.”

Situated at the corner of 13th and Arch streets, Saint-Gobain’s parklet will give visitors the chance to learn about the new, state-of-the-art Saint-Gobain and CertainTeed North American headquarters located in Malvern, Pa., which was designed to maximize the comfort and health of employees by taking full advantage of Saint-Gobain’s and its family of companies’ extensive portfolio of building materials that improve air quality, moisture management, acoustics, energy efficiency, thermal management and ergonomics.

Each day, the parklets will be judged and entrants will be awarded The Jury Award and The People’s Choice Award. The Jury Award will be given to a firm with the most innovative parklet as determined by a panel of judges, and the winners will receive $1,250. The People’s Choice Award will be given to firms with the most creative use of public space based on votes cast by visitors, and winners will be provided with unlimited bragging rights.

Awards will be announced at a reception held each night for conference attendees at the Philadelphia Center for Architecture and Design from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. and announced publicly on Philadelphia Center for Architecture and Design’s and AIA Philadelphia’s social media.   

About Saint-Gobain in North America

Saint-Gobain, the world leader in sustainable environments, has designed and manufactured high-performance building materials that improve the lives of people all over the world. From the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles and the glass pyramid at the Louvre, to The Statue of Liberty and The World Trade Center, and even components that allow the Mars Rover Curiosity to seek out life on another planet, Saint-Gobain has been a part of the fabric of human history, advancement and improvement.

In North America, the company upholds this rich history of innovation by making a material difference in the spaces where people work, live, play, heal and learn. Along with its North American headquarters in Malvern, Pennsylvania, Saint-Gobain has more than 150 locations in North America and approximately 14,000 employees. In the United States and Canada, Saint-Gobain reported sales of approximately $5.7 billion in 2015. Experience our innovation, wonders and advancements by visiting www.saint-gobain-northamerica.com and connect with Saint-Gobain North America on Facebook and Twitter.

About AIA Philadelphia

Founded in 1869, AIA Philadelphia is among the oldest and most distinguished of AIA Chapters, with a long history of service to members and the public. AIA Philadelphia organizes architects in the region for the purpose of advancing their influence in shaping the built environment, and their ability to effectively practice architecture in an ever-changing society and competitive marketplace. The Chapter provides opportunities for professional development, service, and collegiality among peers. A Chapter of The American Institute of Architects, the association represents nearly 1,123 member architects within four southeastern Pennsylvania counties: Philadelphia, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery. Through its myriad programs and events, the Chapter attracts design professionals from Eastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Delaware. The Chapter also represents more than 205 member architecture firms and 172 affiliate companies supplying products and services to the industry.

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Contact Information:

Saint-Gobain in North America:
Dina Silver Pokedoff, APR
610-341-7031 (office)
484-919-2103 (mobile)
dina.pokedoff@saint-gobain.com

or

Brownstein Group for Saint-Gobain in North America:
Nicole Gainer
267-238-4147 (office)
856-266-1707 (mobile)
ngainer@brownsteingroup.com