Movers and Shapers

This year, hundreds of local designers will host symposia, open studios, installations, parties and exhibits in 90 events from October 16th to 22nd
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By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

Eugenie Perret, Minima
118 North 3rd Street, 215-922-2002, minima.us

Perret was among the earliest participants in DesignPhiladelphia, for obvious reasons: She’s the city’s preeminent modern furniture doyenne, both as an interior designer and as a retailer of sleek, contemporary furnishings. She’s also a regular curator of exactly the type of high-minded art/design installations that DesignPhiladelphia is all about. At last year’s festival, she festooned her stark showroom in Turkish flair for an installation about the Ottoman Empire and modernism; the year before, she explored color and form. “There are some good things and some bad things in the city, design-wise,” says Perret. “DesignPhiladelphia gives us a chance to talk about that, and really bring the vitality of the city to life.”

Best known for: Bringing iconic modern design to Old City just in time for First Friday’s explosion.

What she’s doing this year: Curating the largest exhibit of the festival, a pop-up neighborhood of prefabricated green houses on an empty lot on Broad Street near Spruce. In addition to three full-size homes designed by different prefab architects — including one customized for Habitat for Humanity — the installation will include a farming wall to showcase urban farming, solar energy, and environmentally friendly furnishings, lighting, transportation and public art. “A Clean Break: Pop-Up Neighborhood,” October 17th, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. 313 South Broad Street, acleanbreak.org.

 
 
Originally published in Philadelphia Magazine, October 2008

  • Rachel
  • Derek

    The previous comment is in reference to the [spot] exhibition occuring on the 17th.

  • Derek

    Note: The time of the exhibit has changed. I believe the event will take place from early morning until 4 PM along Broad Street.