Background:

The Peco Tower is a landmark in Philadelphia, standing at the western end of the downtown business district. Our work there has involved two major areas for meetings and presentations. One, Energy Hall, is on the lower level of the building; the other, the Teleconferencing Center, is on the 25th floor.

Challenges:

• Develop a solution for each floor that works with both the architectural character of the spaces and their intended functions.
• Select artwork that reflects the diversity of the Peco/Exelon workforce.
• Make the environments broadly inviting so that they will be attractive for hire as well as for Peco’s own use.

Results:

The reception area on the 25th floor, just off the elevator lobby, is an oval space with silver-leafed walls. A pedestal-mounted metal sculpture installed here complements the wall material and the shape of the space. With its polished enamel finish and intertwining shapes, it intrigues the eye with constant change when seen from various angles.

In the seating area are two “peoplescapes” made of hand-carved wood and found objects from the '40s and '50s, authentic flotsam and jetsam that the artist fashioned into stylized people. They are emblematic of various sectors of the population, random men and women who seem to be standing in line, waiting at a doctor’s office or simply forming small groups. Along the back wall is a series of minimalist textured black-and- white paintings that are hung unframed as a foil to the highly polished wall surfaces.