Philadelphia  

Sundial: 741
State/Province:  Pennsylvania Country:  USA
Dial Type:  Equatorial Dial Condition:  Excellent
  Latitude and Longitude: 39° 56.760' N  75° 8.691' W
Location:
  • West side of North Tower
    Society Hill Towers
    200 Locust Street
    Near top of stairs off Dock Street
    Philadelphia
 
Description:
  • An equatorial projection dial with a 12 inch diameter stainless steel equatorial ring incised with Arabic hour numerals that project onto a grooved central support shaft of Cipollino and Carrara marble set on a bluestone foundation.

    A hole near the top of the central marble shaft emits flowing water that runs down the central groove and is recirculated in the warm months. The sundial/fountain marble shaft is 7 inches wide, 36 inches high with a 24 by 55 inch wide base. The dial and nearby Cipollino marble bench rest on a 13-1/2 foot diameter foundation of bluestone pavers set on concrete.

    Direct sunlight on the dial is limited by two of the three nearby buildings. In summer with a high elevation sun, sunlight casts gnomon shadows mid-day and for a few hours in the afternoon.

    The sundial/fountain sculpture was commissioned by Society Hill Towers in honor of I. M. Pei, Architect of the Towers and was dedicated on the 40th anniversary of the Towers in 2003.
 
General Information:
  • Owner: Society Hill Towers
  • Designer: Jill Sablosky
  • Builder: Jill Sablosky
  • Construction Date: 2003; fountain completed 2007
 

Last Revised: 7/18/2012 10:49