Pondering Utopia at Pepper Middle School

Battered. Brooding. Abandoned. Brutalism. George Pepper Middle School in Eastwick is one of Philadelphia’s finest examples of Brutalist architecture. This muscular pile of rigid geometry currently sits vacant and vandalized following a wave of public school closures in 2013. Is it a blighted eyesore or a utopian vision worthy of a second act?

Take a Sunday stroll around this commanding concrete landmark where we will discuss the building's history, architectural significance, current use as a graffiti gallery, and its adaptive reuse potential for serving the community again.

*Packing a camera is highly recommended.

*Wear closed-toe walking shoes or boots and bring drinking water.

*This event runs rain or shine.

Michael Bixler is the Editorial Director and Chief Photographer of Hidden City Philadelphia. His writing and photography is focused on creating dialogue and documentation of the built environment and how it relates to history, culture, and the urban experience. Bixler is the photographer of (Fall 2024, Temple University Press).