The Philadelphia Convention Center is a vital component of the city's commercial development. As one of the city's modern landmarks, Synterra was commissioned to design a new approach to the Convention Center.

Integrating the sidewalks of a 22 city block matrix into a unified urban streetscape presented several challenges. Because so many streets were affected, it was essential to consider the existing character of the individual streets while signaling to visitors they are at the Convention Center. In addition to the character of each block, several traffic areas and transitional pedestrian paths required careful consideration.

Synterra Ltd.'s design team developed a plan that would guide visitors, attend to traffic zones and preserve the existing uniqueness of the individual blocks. Paving patterns, plant material and site furnishings were chosen to create a sense of place. Visitors new to the area can quickly orient themselves. They can venture out to the surrounding community, explore nearby restaurants and shopping and use the new streetscape identity as a point of reference. In short, the plan provides a clear sense of direction and wayfinding for visitors.

This sense of direction is obvious in the primary sidewalks where Synterra provided transitional zones at the buildings and vehicular traffic areas.