The postcard was born in Philadelphia, invented by a printer named John P. Charlton, who in 1861 copyrighted his idea for a plain card that could be sent through the mail. A few decades later, the modern picture postcard began to circulate with images of architectural wonders that included the Eiffel Tower and the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

 

Now Philadelphia's Design Advocacy Group (DAG) has mounted "Greetings from Philadelphia," an exhibit that uses this most humble of souvenirs as a device to examine good design, a quickie primer on how to judge architecture and a contest to designate the next "postcard-worthy" building.

 

"Postcards are strong visual and sentimental reminders of our experiences as we travel. These are remnants of the millions of visitors who have come to Philadelphia and experienced our incredible collection of great buildings," says Laura Spina, a Philadelphia city planner and the exhibit's lead organizer. 

 

DAG acquired postcards from private collectors, libraries and commercial sources to compile an array of images that exemplify good design from the city's founding though 2002, everything from Independence Hall to the diaphanous entry to the Trigen Power Plant.

 

"As advocates for well-designed buildings and public spaces, DAG wants to encourage Philadelphia's long tradition of great architecture," says Spina. "While some developers understand the value of investing in good design, many will only do so at the behest of pubic pressure. DAG hopes that this exhibit will prompt more public attention on good design, whether the building is an infill rowhouse in a neighborhood or a signature high-rise tower on the city's skyline."

 

The buildings and places in the exhibit are organized by some of the basic elements by which architecture and design are commonly judged -- composition, color and materials, impact on the street or skyline, details, color and materials – and there is a homage to the great architecture that has been lost over the centuries.

 

But "Greetings from Philadelphia" looks to the future as well as the past. In celebration of its 10th anniversary this year, DAG is looking for the best building or public place built in the city since 2002 for commemoration – how else? – on a new picture postcard.

 

"Greetings from Philadelphia" is on display at the Center for Architecture, 1218 Arch Street, through October 14. For contest rules, to nominate a project or to vote, go to designadvocacy.org, facebook.com/designadvocacy, email [email protected] or on Twitter @designadvocacy.