Streetviews: Q&A with architect James Timberlake, partner at KieranTimberlake

Architect James Timberlake makes no bones about the ways he hopes Philly can improve. He sat down with us for this Streerviews Q&A in KieranTimberlake’s new offices to talk about how neighborhood balkanization holds Philly back, the need to implement a citywide multi-modal transportation vision, how to use our broadest streets as avenues for public investment, and why city hall doesn’t need complacent caretakers.

• James Timberlake: architect, partner at KieranTimberlake
• Work Neighborhood: Northern Liberties
• Home Neighborhood: Society Hill
• Local Landmarks: Fairmount Park, “I was just stunned by being driven out along East River Drive in the 1960s and recognizing the beauty of a city, engaged with its landscape in that way.” And, as a favorite building,  William Stricklands’ Mercant’s Exchange (at 3rd and Walnut Streets). While two sides are highly articulated it’s also “very modern… because the north and south walls of that building are quite flat. For a masonry building express itself in that way – quite flat which is usually a modern circumstance – I’ve never seen any other building quite like that of its era.”
• Philly in 3 Words: Great, Gritty, and Growing. “I would also probably add a fourth which is bound-to-be-great-again.” 

Interviewed in Winter 2015

Streetviews is a video Q&A series with some of Philadelphia’s bright neighborhood, design, and nonprofit leaders, discussing the city’s biggest opportunities and toughest challenges as part of PlanPhilly’s Agenda 2015 election coverage.