"Lewis's understanding and insight elevate architectural choices into the realms of art and politics simultaneously, all the better in his affable tone and clipped prose. His gift is to enter inside the process, putting the reader in a frame of mind to wonder, question, and appreciate the object world."--Nathaniel Popkin, co-author Philadelphia: Finding the Hidden City"With a sharp historian's eye--and a sharper critic's pen--Michael J. Lewis guides us through Philadelphia's built past, and with a rare intelligence shines new light on its patrons, its builders, and its architects--both famous and forgotten. His affection for his native city is evident throughout."--Witold Rybczynski, author of Charleston Fancy In Philadelphia Builds, architecture critic Michael J. Lewis explains why Philadelphia has produced so many extraordinary architects, including Louis Kahn, Frank Furness, and Robert Venturi. For over three decades, Lewis has written about the architecture of his native city. Richly illustrated, Philadelphia Builds brings together Lewis's best essays on the city--including one about Kahn's little-known project to design a memorial for Vladimir Lenin and another which is the first substantial profile of Willis G. Hale, cult hero of Philadelphia hipsters. Includes 120 b/w photographs and images.