Defining Skylines: John Portman and the Architectural Evolution of Downtown Atlanta to close Dec. 12

Defining Skylines: John Portman and the Architectural Evolution of Downtown Atlanta, the award-winning exhibit on display in Price Gilbert’s first floor Exhibit Gallery, will close Dec. 12. 

The Library’s special exhibition highlighting the extraordinary life and work of the visionary architect behind some of Atlanta’s most iconic buildings opened March 11.

In early September, the exhibit was featured as part of Georgia Tech Arts’ salon series. It featured guest speaker Paige Adair from the Portman Archives offering a brief but fascinating look into the artistic legacy of Portman: renowned architect, Georgia Tech alumnus, and passionate arts patron. 

In late September, the exhibit won the Southeast Chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians (SESAH) Best of the South award for excellence in preservation education, research and outreach.

In November, the Library provided an opportunity to explore Portman’s homes, Entelechy I, located in Atlanta and Entelechy II, located in Sea Island, virtually using the Grove Level Interactive Media Zone. The pop-up exhibit also featured the unbuilt Entelechy III, meant as a personal museum for Portman. 

Later that month, the Library hosted Preserving Peachtree Center: Historic Preservation and John Portman, a conversation with a panel of experts to explore the significance of  Peachtree Center and the importance of historic preservation in Atlanta. 

A proud Georgia Tech alumnus, Portman reshaped the city’s skyline with his innovative designs, including the groundbreaking Hyatt Regency and Peachtree Center. This exhibit offered an exclusive look into Portman’s creative process, architectural achievements, and lasting influence on urban design featuring artifacts from both the Georgia Tech Archives & Special Collections and the Portman Archives.