Inga Saffron makes a convincing case that the future of American architecture is being made here in Philadelphia. She profiles a quartet of (mostly) young architects who are exploring ways to reinvent not just design, but also construction. Making architecture green is one goal. Making it affordable is another. Making the whole process -- from design, to contruction, to demolition -- less wasteful of money and energy is a third. Saffron's piece also touches on the enduring power of a simple notion: the rowhouse. Historians argue that the rowhouse was the salvation of 19th Century Philadelphia. It was inexpensive to design, build and replicate, it allowed working class folks to become home owners -- with an increased stake in their blocks, their neighborhoods and the city.
