Schuylkill Currents at the Driftway Philadelphia, PA / 2023

Located along the Schuylkill River at The Driftway on Kelly Drive, Schuylkill Currents integrates public art and landscape to create a distinct riverfront gathering place. The project centers on a 50-foot carved granite bench and sculpture by artist Mark Mennin, commissioned through the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program Percent for Art Program.

Carved from monumental granite, the sculptural bench traces a sinuous form that echoes the movement of the nearby Schuylkill River. The piece operates simultaneously as artwork, landform, and inhabitable infrastructure—offering a place to pause, gather, and observe the river corridor.

Rather than treating art as an object placed within a landscape, the project integrates sculpture directly into the public realm. The result is a durable civic element that anchors the edge between architecture and waterfront, connecting residents and visitors to the cultural and ecological character of the Schuylkill riverfront.

Client I Method Co

Architect | Morris Adjme Architects