One Port Center, Postmodern office building in Camden, United States
One Port Center is an 11-story postmodern office building on Camden's waterfront with pronounced geometric patterns and colored accents that characterize its exterior design. The structure provides office spaces with views of the Delaware River and Philadelphia's skyline.
The structure was designed in 1996 by architect Michael Graves and built as headquarters for the Delaware River Port Authority, marking a key moment of urban renewal in Camden. This construction coincided with a period when the region modernized its infrastructure and reshaped its waterfront areas.
The building reflects late 20th-century shifts in how American cities designed their commercial structures, bringing postmodern design principles to the Delaware River waterfront. These new approaches introduced color and geometric shapes to a landscape that had favored simpler, more austere designs.
The building sits near public transportation routes and major highways, making it relatively easy to reach. Keep in mind this is an active office building, so interior access may be restricted to employees and authorized visitors.
Michael Graves used the project to showcase his personal shift from classical modernism toward postmodern interpretation, evident particularly in the colored geometric facade elements. These details make the building a visible statement about architectural debates happening during the 1990s.
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