OLIN

The Westpark Apartments project is remaking the Philadelphia Housing Authority’s last remaining highrise property into a truly mixed-income, mixed-use neighborhood. Fueled by community pride and dedication, the redevelopment will welcome the return of nearly 140 former Westpark families along with new neighbors at a variety of income levels, including another 190 affordable apartments. The first phase includes 350 units, each offering the same level of quality and amenity regardless of resident income.

An extension of the West Philly street grid into the former superblock connects residents and neighbors through the site to transit and daily destinations. New walkways introduce much needed access and community park spaces provide areas for gathering and play. The sloped landscape will be planted with native perennials and trees to buffer the elevated transit line and provide shade and cooling in summer. 

The earth-moving has begun! Following more than a decade of advocacy by residents and City Council, the PHA in a Public/Private Partnership with LMXD and MSquared broke ground today on what will become a national model for affordable, mixed-use, TOD redevelopment.

The OLIN design team was proud to attend the event joining the throngs of ecstatic participants—neighbors alongside City, State, and Federal officials who have broken barriers to see this project come to fruition.

Installed in the heart of OLIN’s Philadelphia studio, MeadowScape invites you to step inside the living structure of a meadow—not at ground level but vertically, as a shifting tapestry of color, form, and season. Brainchild of Associate and Living Systems Specialist Judy Venonsky for the upcoming OLIN book published by on physical model making, the creation was a collaboration by Judy, Model Room Manager Finn Graves, Partner Trevor Lee, and artist Miguel Horn.

Based on a real plant community identified through the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program, the installation translates a Pennsylvania floodplain meadow into 400 hand shaped wooden “plants”—each block representing a species that blooms, grows, fades, and returns. Like an agamograph (a kinetic art form that visually transforms as viewers shift their position) MeadowScape comes alive through motion, revealing new relationships and seasons with every step.

MeadowScape is both science and art. It is a portrait of a meadow condensed into geometry and texture—a reminder that nature is not static but rhythmic, adaptive, and alive. MeadowScape offers a glimpse into the hidden logic of seasonal change. It invites us to imagine healthy meadows thriving once again along Pennsylvania rivers and beyond.

We’re working with the City of Glendale to update their Open Space, Conservation Element & Recreation Element (OSCR), a key part of the City’s General Plan.

We welcome community members to participate in these meetings, which will introduce the project and feature interactive boards, fun activities for kids, and opportunities to share feedback on how Glendale’s parks, open spaces, and recreation programs can grow and improve for everyone. This project is funded by .

Interpretation will be available in Spanish and Armenian. Other ADA accommodations and translations available by calling 818-548-2000 at least 72 hours in advance.

📍In-Person Meeting: November 20 | Pacific Community Center & Park | 6–8 PM

💻 Virtual Meeting: December 1 | Zoom link: bit.ly/OSCRmtg | 6–8 PM

📝 See the link in our bio to share your thoughts in Glendale OSCR’s Fall 2025 Survey.