The Philadelphia Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art invites you to the 10th Anniversary Alvin Holm Lecture/Symposium where Frederick Fisher and Stephen Harby, joined by their fellow architectural colleague, Steven Semes, will discuss famed architect Robert Venturi and Rome’s influence on his theoretical works. This full-day symposium will include three lectures, a closing panel discussion with all three speakers, and small exhibit of the original watercolors done by Fisher and Harby to illustrate their book, Robert Venturi’s Rome.

Perhaps no other Philadelphia architect has received more recognition and wielded more influence in the second half of the 20th century than did Robert Venturi (1925-2018). His 1966 gentle manifesto Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture catapulted him into the forefront of American architecture and architects. As one of the most significant theoretical works on architectural theory, this book has been recognized to be heavily influenced by Venturi’s two-year tenure at the American Academy of Rome from 1954 to 1956 and uses many Roman buildings to illustrate his theories.

In 2017, two more recent Rome Fellows and architects, Frederick Fisher and Stephen Harby, published their book, Robert Venturi’s Rome, which re-examines the Roman buildings and places that exemplified Venturi’s ideas with the perspective of fifty years of architectural advancements. The book includes exclusive watercolor illustrations inspired by the black and white illustrations by Venturi in Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture.

For full event schedule and speaker bios, visit https://classicist-phila.org/. Seated breakfast and lunch is included with registration.