DesignPhiladelphia invites you to a special evening celebrating visionary architect Vishaan Chakrabarti, founder of PAU | Practice for Architecture and Urbanism, and the talented student winners of the 2025 Edmund N. Bacon Urban Design Awards. Known for his commitment to building ecological, equitable, and joyful communities, Chakrabarti has led numerous influential projects, including Brooklyn's Domino Sugar Refinery, Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Princeton's Hobson College, Philadelphia's Schuylkill Yards, and New York's Pennsylvania Station. His career includes time as a principal at global firms, an influential tenure as William Wurster Dean at UC Berkeley’s College of Architecture, and impactful work in public policy as Mayor Bloomberg's planning director for Manhattan after 9/11, where he helped reimagine the High Line and revitalize the city's waterfront.

In addition to leading PAU and serving on several nonprofit boards, Chakrabarti teaches at Cornell University as the Thomas J. Baird Visiting Critic in Architecture and contributes to publications like The New York Times and Vital City. His books, A Country of Cities (2013) and The Architecture of Urbanity (2024), champion the design of connected, vibrant communities as a path to address major societal challenges like climate change, political division, and public health.

The Disney Hole Student Design Competition: Breathing New Life into Center City Philadelphia
This year’s student competition encourages participants to reimagine "The Disney Hole," a symbol of missed opportunities in Philadelphia's Center City at 8th and Market Streets. Once the site of the iconic Gimbel's Department Store, and later a proposed site for a Disney entertainment complex, this area has remained a vacant lot since the 1980s. Students are tasked with revitalizing this space, envisioning innovative and meaningful designs that transform it into a thriving part of the community.

Celebrating Visionary Contributions to Urban Design and Education
The Edmund N. Bacon Urban Design Awards program not only honors the visionary work of professionals like Chakrabarti but also raises funds for DesignPhiladelphia’s K-12 design education initiatives, which introduce students to the fields of design and empower them to envision the future of their own neighborhoods and city.

This special event is a unique opportunity to connect with leaders in architecture and design who are shaping the future of urban spaces.The evening’s program includes the awards ceremony, followed by a coffee and dessert reception. For VIP ticketholders, a special pre-ceremony reception starts at 5:30 PM, featuring hors d'oeuvres, wine, beer, and music. Guests will have the chance to meet Chakrabarti along with our esteemed sponsors. Secure your tickets now to be part of this celebration and support the next generation of designers.

Purchase tickets here.