What might Pittsburgh look like in 125 years?
The Pittsburgh chapter of the American Institute of Architects gathered to explore this question at Carnegie Music Hall for the 41st annual Design Pittsburgh awards on Friday, Nov. 8. The awards honor sustainability, social impact, masonry and more in local architecture and design. The ceremony also marked the 125th anniversary of the Institute.
“Design Pittsburgh is a yearly opportunity to give the public a chance to gain a new perspective into our built environment,” Michelle Fanzo, AIA Pittsburgh’s executive director, said in a press release. “This year is a big anniversary for the community so we are looking not only at our present award winners but to our past and to the future of architectural design in our region.”
Architects pose for photos with their Design Pittsburgh Awards on the stage of the newly-renovated Carnegie Music Hall during the Pittsburgh branch of the American Institute of Architects’ Beaux-Arts Ball and awards ceremony on Friday, Nov. 8. Photo by Roman Hladio.
This year’s jury was composed of four American Institute of Architects members from Detroit, and projects were judged on their concept, detailing and execution, achievement of difficult elements, originality and sustainability. The firms are all based in Western Pennsylvania, but some of the winning projects are located elsewhere.
Here are the winners:
Small Projects: Honor Award
Balvanera’s dining room. Photo courtesy of Craig Thompson Photography.
Balvanera, Strip District. mossArchitects. Jury comments: “We appreciate how the planning created distinct seating environments as well as the creative development of the mezzanine to maximize the space available.”
SouthSide Works’ public space and dog park. Photo courtesy of Ed Massery.
The SouthSide Works Public Spaces, South Side. AE7. Jury comments: “The connection between the existing building and the new public space is deftly handled. It provides a transitional place that is both internally focused from the public space and externally gesturing from the interior.”
Pennsylvania State University’s Nuclear Innovations Commons. Photo courtesy of Ed Rombout.
Nuclear Innovation Commons, Pennsylvania State University, State College. R3A Architecture. Jury comments: “We appreciate the strong ceiling concept on a small project. It’s impactful and comes through in the atypical planning, detailing and interior color palette while still providing a flexible/adaptable space.”
Medium Projects: Certificate of Merit
A residence in the Eastern Woodlands. Photo courtesy of Paul Warchol.
A residence in the Eastern Woodlands. Studio D’Arc. Jury comments: “We love the integration of the existing barn and silo, and we appreciate the commitment to sustainable systems, strategies and plantings.”
Carnegie Music Hall Renovation, Oakland. Gensler. Jury comments: “Occupants today would be hard-pressed to identify the alterations to the original structure because the upgrades were implemented so seamlessly.”
Dancing Gnome Brewery. Photo courtesy of Ed Massery.
Dancing Gnome Brewery, Sharpsburg. Margittai Architects. Jury comments: “This project transforms a nondescript utility building type into a destination and gathering space that can become a catalytic agent for future development.”
Wood Street Revitalization, Downtown (pictured at top). AE Works. Jury comments: “Imaginative repurposed uses, meticulous restoration and brilliant lighting ensures the continuation of Pittsburgh’s Downtown vibrancy and vitality while preserving its architectural legacy.”
Medium Projects: Honor Award
Church of the Ascension. Photo courtesy of Ed Massery.
Church of the Ascension, Shadyside. Rothschild Doyno Collaborative. Jury comments: “Thoughtfully executed planning unites these three buildings while creating new usable space. We appreciate how the glazed new entry element and design allows the existing historic character to be exposed.”
Lawrence Hall. Photo courtesy of Craig Thompson Photography.
Lawrence Hall, Lawrenceville. mossArchitects. Jury comments: “Thoughtful adaptive reuse breathes a new life into this 1890s masonry and heavy timber structure. The modern yet minimal exterior improvements engage with the urban context of the neighborhood.”
The Conservatory Courtyard at Bakery Square. Photo courtesy of Craig Thompson Photography.
The Conservatory Courtyard, Bakery Square. Strada. Jury comments: “The integration of wellness and public art throughout the facility makes for an inviting, thoughtful and rejuvenating environment.”
Large Projects: Honor Award
21c Museum Hotel in St. Louis, Ohio. Photo courtesy of 21c Museum Hotel.
21c Museum Hotel St. Louis, St. Louis, Ohio. PWWG. Jury comments: “The meticulous integration of program spaces, color palettes, finishes, textures and lighting make for a curated yet whimsical blend of historic and contemporary styles.”
Flats on Forward, Squirrel Hill. Bohlin Cywinski Jackson. Jury comments: “This project responds to its site by providing an artfully articulated facade that respectfully addresses the urban context without being overly deferential.”
Seneca Valley Ehrman Crest Elementary & Middle School. Photo courtesy of Laura Peters Pictures.
Seneca Valley Ehrman Crest Elementary and Middle School, Cranberry. CannonDesign. Jury comments: “The thoughtful implementation of wayfinding, collaborative learning and social interaction creates a vibrant learning environment in and beyond the classroom.”
The University of Pittsburgh’s Scaife Hall. Photo courtesy of Warren Jagger.
University of Pittsburgh Scaife Hall Addition, Oakland. MCF Architecture. Jury comments: “The building design not only provides a platform for active learning, but activates the surrounding area with its rich facade, massing and transparency that showcases the uses within.”
Conceptual/Unbuilt: Certificate of Merit
A conceptual design of Just Imagine SWLA. Image courtesy of Urban Design Associates.
Just Imagine SWLA, Calcasieu Parish and Cameron Parish, Louisiana. Urban Design Associates. Jury comments: “This complex project addresses sustainability, resilience, community engagement and economic growth for future generations.”
Conceptual/Unbuilt: Honor Award
A rendering of FLOAT | Park Arena. Image courtesy of DLA+ Architecture & Interior Design.
FLOAT | Park Arena, Busan, South Korea. DLA+ Architecture & Interior Design. Jury comments: “Imaginative building and site design engages and celebrates the building’s participants and their activities, both inside and outside of the structure.”
The Young Architects Studio Competition Award of Excellence
Terrace Commons, South Side. Rye Ahronson, Amanda Barner, Amy Foster, Radene Jackson and Grace Messner of LGA Partners. Jury comments: “The entry tied the history of the park as a quarry and brick yard to the sustainable use of reclaimed materials for the interventions. Aesthetically, the jury was drawn to the organic forms, which fit in well to the park setting. Finally, the jury noted that the proposal could work well with current efforts by the City of Pittsburgh to improve the park.”
Social Impact Award
The jury for the Social Impact in Design Award was a team of three Pittsburghers: Bruce Chan, senior director of urban design with the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership; Tamara Emswiler, senior program manager for social impact design with Neighborhood Allies; and Nazia Tarannum, North Side neighborhood planner with the City of Pittsburgh.
The team judged projects on community identity and history, co-design, economic opportunity, inclusivity, leadership, public space and sustainability.
Their process led to three winners:
A display for the Second Avenue Commons renovation project boasting its Social Impact Award. Photo by Roman Hladio.
Second Avenue Commons, Downtown. DLA+ Architecture & Interior Design. Jury comments: “The team embraced the concept of what is needed to holistically serve the population, which goes well beyond housing. Trauma-informed design framed the whole project.”
Heritage Highlands, Rankin. LGA Partners. Jury comments: “The design team recognized there was a greater issue to be addressed than the original request to fix rooves. They expanded the scope of the project to provide access to better housing and not just patch up postwar buildings with many problems.”
Just Imagine SWLA, Calcasieu Parish and Cameron Parish, Louisiana. Urban Design Associates. Jury comments: “The level of community engagement really stands out and richly informed the design of 11 potential interventions.”
Excellence in Masonry
This new award was juried by Omar Khan, professor and head of Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Architecture; Howard Solomon, Mason Contractors Association of Western PA; and Brian Trimble, International Masonry Institute.
The Flats on Forward. Photo courtesy of Ed Massery.
Flats on Forward, Squirrel Hill. Bohlin Cywinski Jackson. Jury comments: “This project exhibited creative use of brick in articulating the facade, especially around windows. It gives the building design quality that is just not found in affordable housing constriction.”
People’s Choice Award
Selected by awards attendees at the Nov. 8 event.
Carnegie Music Hall post-renovation. Photo by Jeffery Totaro courtesy of the Carnegie Museums.
Carnegie Music Hall Renovation, Oakland. Gensler.