2025 Award Winners

JURY COMMENTS: This project really took advantage of the hill, taking advantage of the site. The jury loved that the adaptive reuse still shows the rhythm of the original facades.

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SMALL: Certificate of Merit

Martini, Nashville International Airport
Architecture Firm: LGA Partners
Project Team: Paulette Burns, AIA; Brian Hengelsberg; Kathryn Vitali; Jim Speck; Amy Foster
General Contractor: Mark Bosco, Chris Ward, & Melanie Seeger, Teel Construction
Structural Engineering: Rao Patri, Logan Patri Engineering
MEP Engineering: David Garrett, Rubicon Construction & Engineering
Photographer: Walter Tien + Gunnar Leisey

At Nashville International Airport, Martini transforms a transactional pause into a cultural encounter, embodying the city’s identity through music, materiality, and movement. The challenge of building without walls or ceilings, under strict security and compressed schedules, became an opportunity to create openness, clarity, and cohesion at the heart of Concourse D’s “Record Node”. A luminous trellis inspired by vinyl grooves, a guitar-pick bar that shifts from coffee to cocktails, and an outdoor terrace anchor the experience in rhythm and flow. Durable materials, concealed service functions, and integrated branding ensure both operational efficiency and long-term resilience. The result is more than a concession—it is a destination that connects travelers to Music City, resonates with community pride, and elevates the standard for concessions design.

JURY COMMENTS: This is a well-executed result of strong branding. This is what good architecture should be.

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SMALL: Honor Award

Liten Hytte
Architecture Firm: Bohlin Cywinski Jackson
Project Team: Bill James; Peter Bohlin, FAIA
General Contractor: Zelinski Brothers
Structural Engineer: Avanti Engineering
Cabinetry Design: TC Millworks
Millwork (wood paneling and steps): Jacek
Siding/Roofing: Riegle Metals
Steel Columns and Entry Shroud: Jacklin Steel Supply Company:
Windows and Exterior Doors: Old Mission Windows
Photographer: Corey Gaffer

Longtime visitors to a small lakeside community in Northern Michigan, our clients were interested in a small cabin for family gatherings that fit with the relaxed, understated character of the region. The former family cabin, a short distance away, would swell with multiple generations during the summer months, when every inch of the dwelling would be used. They were interested in an economical design that made maximal use of a small footprint, incorporated a limited material palette, and offered resilience over both heavy seasonal use and long, typically harsh winters. Inspired by regional context and materials, Liten Hytte establishes a new chapter in an area with special significance for our clients.

JURY COMMENTS: Very well crafted jewelbox in the woods. A nice composition and good balance/ dichotomy between rough plywood/corrugate metal and highly-finished interior volumes. The rough and the refined, combined.

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SMALL: Honor Award

Squirrel Hill Mid-Century Modern Renovation & Addition
Architecture Firm: Wildman Chalmers Design
Project Team: Heather Wildman; Chad Chalmers, AIA; Kelsey Thomas; Maggie Smoller; Rachel Mazzetti
General Contractor: Mike Kelly, Aspen Valley Contracting
Landscape Architect: Jack LaQuatra
Photographer: Erin Kelly

Comprehensive architectural and interior design services were provided for a full-scale gut renovation of this mid-century modern single-family 4-bedroom home. Light and nature are central to the design, focusing on indoor-outdoor connection via a natural color palette, views, and lighting through the floor-to-ceiling windows and an ample outdoor covered patio. The scope of work included a total renovation of both the interior and exterior of the home, and a new second story addition. The addition, which includes a laundry room, a primary suite with a sitting room, and his and her walk-in closets, highlights the views available on this hilltop site. The exterior program included a lap pool and covered outdoor patio with a television, fireplace, seating area, and expansive views of the gardens beyond. As a whole, it provides for the family a luxurious sanctuary, in the heart of the city.

JURY COMMENTS: Very well done – a seamless project that is cohesive throughout the existing building, the addition, and the exterior spaces, which all share the same soft inviting palette. The connection between architecture & interior design, and between indoor and outdoor spaces is blurred.

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MEDIUM: Certificate of Merit

City of Pittsburgh Northside Medic Station 4
Architecture Firm: AE7
Project Team: Jeffrey Wetzel, AIA; James Lennon; Michael Finley, AIA; Matthew Gunther; Kendall Barkey; Rheanna Abel Durci
Public Safety Consultant: Manns Woodward Studios
MEP Engineering: Allen + Shariff Engineering
Structural Engineering: Atlantic Engineering Services
Civil Engineering: Langan
Sustainability Consultant: Auros Group
AV Consultant: BrightTree Studios
Cost Estimator: Cipher, LLC
Photographer: Maximilian Franz

Located in Pittsburgh’s Northside, Medic 4 is the first net-zero ready paramedic station in the U.S. and the city’s first new first-response facility in nearly 30 years. As the inaugural project under Pittsburgh’s net-zero ready legislation, it redefines public safety infrastructure with a focus on efficiency, sustainability, and community connection. Designed to meet the complex demands of modern EMS, the station blends high-performance architecture with reduced environmental impact. Medic 4 sets a new civic standard by advancing emergency services, supporting long-term climate goals, and enhancing neighborhood resilience through both design and daily service.

JURY COMMENTS: Sustainability is the driver of this design. The graphic storytelling of the submission was well articulated. The section is very strong and innovative.

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MEDIUM: Certificate of Merit

Richard King Mellon Foundation, Headquarters
Architecture Firm: GBBN
Project Team: Amanda Markovic, AIA; Stephen Mrdjenovich, AIA; Mandy Woltjer; Sean O’Connor; Phil Rowland; Troy Malmstrom; Benita Nartey; Marc Janty; Mel Ngami, AIA
Contractor: Jessica McKinney, PJ Dick
MEP Engineer: Dan DiCriscio, Karpinski
Structural Engineer: Mike Wuerthele, TransSystems
AV Engineer: David Vargo, BrightTree,
Lighting Consultant: Francis Krahe, Francis Krahe & Associates,
Sustainability Consultant: Marc Mondor, evolveEA
Local Artisan: Katie Schaeible, Monmade
Plant Supplier: Gigi Drappier, Plantscape
Furniture Vendor: Kevin Martz, Workscape
Photographer: Ed Massery

The new headquarters for the Richard King Mellon Foundation transforms the historic Auction House at Pittsburgh’s Produce Terminal into a LEED Gold certified workplace. The project created an accessible, healthy, flexible, energy-efficient, space that celebrates their legacy of philanthropy.

JURY COMMENTS: A good example of transformation of an existing building to a modern use. The structure could have led to a cold aesthetic, which was luckily avoided.

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MEDIUM: Certificate of Merit

Premier Custom Paint & Collision
Architecture Firm: NEXT architecture
Project Team: Nick Miller, AIA, Jason Woynar, NCIDQ, Erik Capra, AIA
MEP Engineer: WNA Engineering
Civil Engineer: HRG
General Contractor: C. Tucker Cope & Associates
Photographer: Brian Riedel

Premier Custom Paint & Collision is a family-owned business specializing in collision repair, custom automotive paint, and vehicle performance upgrades. The primary design focus was to create an exterior and interior design that incorporated a modern aesthetic to attract new clients. Our team was able to implement economic strategies by utilizing a pre-engineered structure with metal cladding for the exterior, as well as using brick and glazing along the exterior street side facades. The main project goals were to expand their footprint, meet a cost-effective budget, and create a space that was designed to match the aesthetic of the high-end vehicles that they service. New portions of the facility were constructed of a pre-engineered metal-frame, and insulated metal panels to help maintain a cost-effective project. The prominent building corners were constructed of brick and sleek glazing systems to work within the existing context and provide a modern façade for their high-end clients. The interior design features a dark color palette accented by warm wood tones. A metallic epoxy floor was installed throughout the first floor to provide a seamless transition between the showroom and reception areas. The office area includes a mezzanine overlooking the body shop, as well as a conference space which provides direct sightlines into the showroom. Linear light fixtures were included throughout to enhance the clean, modern aesthetic that Premier was in search of.

JURY COMMENTS:It’s great to see an everyday, oft-ignored use receive design attention – using architecture to elevate the business and the customer experience.

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MEDIUM: Certificate of Merit

Digital Foundry at New Kensington
Architecture Firm: R3A Architecture
Project Team: Deepak Wadhwani, AIA; Jon Williams
General Contractor: Gary Kidd, Mosites
MEP Engineer: Greg Alexander, CJL Engineering
Civil Engineer: Sean Donnelly, Gateway Engineers, Inc.
Structural Engineer: Mike Miller, Barber & Hoffman
Photographer: Ed Rombout

The Digital Foundry at New Kensington drives economic revitalization and technical re-skilling in rust belt communities by providing a state-of-the-art lab and training hub for manufacturers, entrepreneurs, makers, and workers. Fusing digital data and equipment with product development and business operations, the Digital Foundry features demonstration spaces, maker production areas, and a factory simulator to advance Industry 4.0. Signature programs support workforce development, helping participants build future-ready skills. As a living laboratory, it enables entrepreneurs to create, incubate, and launch products and services. Its ultimate goal is to attract, retain, and grow businesses in New Kensington while creating employment opportunities for local residents.

JURY COMMENTS: The concept is strong, particularly seeing everywhere from everywhere, and the incorporation of sawtooth rooflines and ceiling lines that echo that rhythm, to forge some connection between the digital and the historical.

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MEDIUM: Certificate of Merit

Arnold Palmer Learning Center, First Tee-Pittsburgh, City of Pittsburgh
Architecture Firm: R3A Architecture
Project Team: Deepak Wadhwani, AIA; Patrick Russell, AIA; Barbara Pschirer
General Contractor: Steven Massaro, Massaro Corporation
MEP Engineer: Jim Vizzini, CJL Engineering
Civil Engineer: Adam McCullough, D’Appolonia Engineering
Structural Engineer: Gilbert Kaufman, Atlantic Engineering Services
Landscape Architect: Sara Moore, Moore Design Associates
Commissioning Agent: Thomas Deter, H.F. Lenz Company
Photographer: Ed Rombout

First Tee-Pittsburgh’s Arnold Palmer Learning Center was designed to support youth development programs that teach life skills and character education through the game of golf. The design of the new facility was driven by inclusivity, to welcome children of all backgrounds within Pittsburgh and surrounding communities. In order to preserve the cultural importance of this site and to ensure that the new facility would serve the community’s needs, the design team led a series of community engagement workshops to identify mission critical goals. Working with a variety of stakeholders, interactive exercises established an understanding of programmatic goals. Through an iterative design campaign, proof-of-concept studies were reviewed with the community to allow all voices to be heard. The co-creative process was driven by the vision to create a socially and educationally engaging place for the community that transcends generational and socioeconomic boundaries, a place for all.

JURY COMMENTS: Clear concept of modernizing the previously established approach, and a strong sustainability concept. One can still understand what was there before, which may be due in part to the strong community engagement process.

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MEDIUM: Certificate of Merit

Victor A. Phillips Nursing and Allied Health Building
Architecture Firm: Stantec
Project Team: Alexander Wing, AIA; Michael Reagan, AIA; Carl Shilling; Michael Preston, AIA; Nathan Werner; Rachel Pettit, Assoc. AIA; Alexi-Jo Hanner; Christopher Hunt; Chris Graham; Dan Manns; Paul Pohlod; Jennifer Schafer; Eric Lunn; Rebecca Murner; Kevin McCormick
General Construction: R.A. Glancy and Sons, Inc.
Mechanical: First American Industries, Inc.
Electrical: Right Electrical, Inc.
Plumbing: Enders Plumbing and Heating Co.
Fire Protection: J & J Fire Protection, Inc.
Structural Engineering: Barber & Hoffman
Consulting Engineer: Mike Miller
Site/Civil/Landscape: Moore Design Associates, Sara Moore

The new Nursing and Allied Health building provides Butler County Community College with a state-of-the-art facility for training the region’s healthcare workforce. Designed with flexible labs, simulation suites, and collaborative commons, the building supports hands-on, team-based learning. Its strategic campus location establishes a visible new identity for the Nursing & Allied Health program, aligning advanced healthcare education with community engagement and long-term regional impact.

JURY COMMENTS: The gateway concept is strong and enduring. The floor plan creates variegated angles that bring people together and brings light deep into the space. We appreciate the inclusion of conceptual sketches.

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MEDIUM: Certificate of Merit

State College Family Service Center
Architecture Firm: Strada Architecture LLC
Project Team: Dina Snider, AIA; Eric Phillips, AIA; Danielle Oriol; Roxy Elinski; Julia Morrison; Mason Radkoff; Leah Peterson
General Contractor: JC Orr & Son
MEP Engineer: WNA Engineering (Chris Dicianna, Project Manager; Jason Zang, Electrical Engineer; Chris O’Leary, Mechanical Engineer; Mark Ellis, Plumbing Engineer)
Civil Engineer: Mike Vaow, Stahl Sheaffer Engineering
Structural Engineer: Atlantic Engineering Services (AES)
AV: Bruce MacLellan, Applied Video Technology
Lighting: Josh Baran, Repco II
Photographer: Craig Thompson

State College Family Center transforms a defunct but formerly beloved roller-skating rink into a welcoming space for educators, students, & local community. The reuse of the existing structure along with the new sweeping addition and outdoor connections encourage people to embrace their educational journey.

JURY COMMENTS:The rethinking of a pre-engineered structure changes the static structural frame into a dynamic form with a single gesture. The focus on biophilia and aviation themes resonate well with the execution, and there are many dynamic forms that create a sense of movement.

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MEDIUM: Honor Award

Ronald McDonald House Charities Dayton, New House
Architecture Firm: GBBN
Project Team: Amanda Markovic, AIA; Elizabeth Schmidt; Katie Coulson; Chas Wiederhold; Megan Mershman; Brooke Behnfeldt; Stefan Cornelis; Anne Chen; Steve Kenat, AIA; Marc Janty; Mel Ngami, AIA
Construction Manager: Kirt Siemer, Danis
Structural Engineer: Frank Ellert, THP Limited
MEP Engineer: Thom Anderson, CMTA
Civil Engineer & Landscape: Doug Woeste, The Kleingers Group
Photographer: Ryan Kurtz

The new Ronald McDonald House Charities of Dayton creates a haven for families during life’s most challenging moments. A familiar form, with unexpected, scale-shifting moves, elevates the most basic building archetype—the house, as a child might draw it—into a landmark of care.

JURY COMMENT: Loved this project. The concept of beginning with a kid’s sketch of home carrying through not only the overall form but the interior design decisions makes it a home away from home. Even though it’s a large building it hints at a rowhome scale on the exterior and creates cozy spaces on the interior. The use of shake siding brings a warmth and playfulness that divorces it from the institutional realm.

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MEDIUM: Honor Award

Allegheny Branch House Lofts
Architecture Firm: PWWG Architects
Project Team: Brent Houck, AIA; Joseph Roy, AIA; Amy Baade, AIA; James Malone, AIA
Contractor: Mistick Construction
Structural Engineer: Taylor Structural Engineers
MEP Engineer: Iams Consulting
Preservation Services, Historic: Time & Place, LLC
Civil/Landscape Engineer: Morris Knowles & Associates, Inc
Acoustics: Veneklasen Associates, Inc,
Photographer: Ed Massery

Located in Pittsburgh’s North Side, this former International Harvester branch house was originally constructed in 1905, with notable additions in 1912 and 1913. The red brick, trapezoidal warehouse remained in use for much of its life but had become underutilized in recent years. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2018, the building was poised for a new chapter. The architect was engaged to breathe new life into the four-story structure as 36 distinctive apartments. The design embraces the buildings industrial character, incorporating strategic space-planning interventions that highlight and celebrate its historic architectural features.

JURY COMMENT: This project is very nice. The repurposing of this industrial building included a lot of thought of how to deal with noise from adjacent train tracks. It might be a shiny object, but we appreciate the effort in maintaining as much of the history and character as possible. We would live here in a heartbeat.

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LARGE: Certificate of Merit

Carnegie Mellon University, Highmark Center for Health, Wellness and Athletics
Architecture Firm: Bohlin Cywinski Jackson
Project Team: Kent Suhrbier, FAIA; Thomas Kirk, AIA; Greg LaForest, AIA; Nicholas A. Snyder, AIA; Kirsten Clemens, AIA; Michael Henderson, AIA; Chelsea Davis; Bill James; Douglas Nassar; Victoria Acevedo; Jason Brody; Natalie Gentile; Xueping Li; Gregory Mottola, FAIA
Construction Manager: Jim Gruntz, PE, Mascaro Construction Co LP
MEP Engineers: Scott Foster, Affiliated Engineers, Inc.
Structural Engineer: J. R. Esgar, PE. SE, LEED AP, KPFF Consulting Engineers,
Civil, Geotechnical, Traffic Engineering: Erminio Genoese, Langan Engineering
Landscape Architecture: Allison Harvey, RLA, ASLA, OJB Landscape Architecture
Acoustical Engineering: Jeffrey E. Babich, Babich Acoustics,
Architectural Lighting Designer: Francis Krahe, Francis Krahe & Associates, Inc.,
Code Consultant: Carl Keogh, PE, Holmes Keogh Associates, LLC
Audiovisual, IT/Telecommunications, Security: David Vargo, BrightTree Studios
Cost Estimating: David Pearson, Dharam Consulting LLC
Sustainability Commissioning: Adam Bertonaschi, BranchPattern
Health and Behavioral Health Planner: Dr. Mardelle Shepley, Dr. Mardelle McCuskey Shepley,
Artist: Guadalupe Maravilla, P·P·O·W
Photographer: Nic Lehoux

The Highmark Center for Health, Wellness and Athletics is a response to the pressures faced by students as they navigate academic life and prepare for the world after graduation. Recognizing the value in a holistic approach to wellbeing, and the connections between students’ mental, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual health, Carnegie Mellon University engaged our practice to create the central hub of a campus-wide network for wellbeing. The Highmark Center caps a 15-year planning process that brought together stakeholders from across the university – from health services to counseling and psychological services, to wellness and spirituality, training, and athletics. While managing a careful balance between diverse departments and secure areas for student services, the project is intended to be an inviting place where all can feel welcome, whether exploring their spirituality in the interfaith room, attending a game, or studying in the light-filled concourse.

JURY COMMENT: Very complex. Great play on materials, such as the variegated stack-bond brick. New additions are well tied to the existing fieldhouse. The concourse connecting the multiple levels integrates all the components and sponsors beautiful geometries along the exterior.

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LARGE: Certificate of Merit

Form Factory 1
Architecture Firm: Stantec
Project Team: Jim Radock, AIA; Kate Csontos, AIA; Jeremiah Brooks, AIA; Andre Clarke, AIA; Ben Ackerman; Sydney Strugaru
Construction: Dan Dougherty, Massaro Corporation
Preengineered Metal Building: Joshka Febres, Allied Steel Buildings
Civil Engineering: Joseph Young, The Thrasher Group
Furniture Vendor: Melissa Hancock, Office Works
Photographer: Ed Massery

Form Factory 1 transforms part of the former Weirton Steel Mill into a state-of-the-art clean energy manufacturing facility. The design supports complex production processes in daylit workspaces with double-height gathering areas. The strong civic presence established by its prominent public-facing façade and entry sequence underscore the site’s revitalization as a landmark of resilience, advanced manufacturing, and regional economic renewal.

JURY COMMENT: It’s difficult to turn the mundane into the extraordinary with a simple gesture. Sometimes basic architecture deserves the same credit as more complex typologies. It is hard to do something that looks effortless. The jury sympathizes with the architect about the absence of the 2 curved light shelves that were apparently value engineered out.

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LARGE: Certificate of Merit

The Eatery at Litchfield Towers
Architecture Firm: PWWG Architects
Project Team: Lisa Carver, AIA; Sean Lange, Jan Irvin, AIA; Tonya Markiewicz, Joseph Filar, James Pasquarelli, Adria Zawicki, AIA
General Contractor: Rycon Construction
Structural Engineering: Atlantic Engineering Services
MEP Engineering: Barton Associates
Interior Design: Design Agency
Cost Estimating: M3CM Consulting
Food Service Design: Next Step Design
AV: Sextant Group/NV5
Photographer: Rycon Construction

Located on the ground floor of the iconic 22-story Litchfield Towers at the University of Pittsburgh, The Eatery stands as the largest collegiate dining facility east of the Mississippi, serving over 8,000 meals daily across 10 distinct, chef-driven dining concepts. In partnership with Chartwells Higher Education, the University embraced a student-first design approach, using in-depth surveys and feedback to reimagine the traditional dining hall experience. The result is a vibrant, fast-casual culinary hub that mirrors the energy and innovation of urban food scenes. With a focus on customization and quality, The Eatery offers made-to-order meals in a dynamic setting designed to foster community. Versatile pop-up installations bring the space to life with game-day watch parties, movie nights, karaoke, and interactive Teaching Kitchens, transforming dining into an immersive, on-campus experience that nourishes both body and spirit.

JURY COMMENT: Very engaging. For a college eatery, it’s one of the best we’ve seen. The logistical planning of phasing and occupancy was as challenging as the design. We appreciate the nods to the influence of the circular towers above.

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LARGE: Certificate of Merit

Slippery Rock University Performing Arts Center
Architecture Firm: R3A Architecture
Project Team: Joint Venture Architects: R3A Architecture, Deepak Wadhwani, AIA, Jon Williams; DLR Group, Matthew Janiak, AIA
General Contractor: Mike Coates, Coates Construction
Mechanical Engineer: Mitch Clemente, DLR Group
Electrical Engineer: Andrew Harrigal, DLR Group
Acoustics: Jonathon Hopkins, DLR Group
Civil Engineer: Jonathan E. Garczewski, Gateway Engineers, Inc.
Structural Engineer: Jim Pospisil, Barber & Hoffman
Photographer: Ed Rombout

The Slippery Rock University Performing Arts Center was conceived to unite dispersed, outdated facilities into a vibrant, contemporary home for the arts. By transforming Miller Auditorium and the historic East/West Gyms, the design solved challenges of accessibility, outdated infrastructure, and scattered program needs through adaptive reuse and strategic expansion. The intent was to create light-filled, flexible spaces that inspire creativity, support professional-grade performances, and connect students, faculty, and community through shared cultural experiences. The result is a resilient, welcoming venue that elevates SRU’s nationally recognized programs and enriches the cultural fabric of both campus and town.

JURY COMMENT: We don’t know why, but we really like the arched thing that is going on here. Something feels silly, but it really works, reminding us of roman theaters, curtains, and boxseats.

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LARGE: Certificate of Merit

Dickie McCamey & Chilcote Pittsburgh HQ
Architecture Firm: Perkins Eastman
Project Team:Jeff Young, AIA; John Wimer; Jessie Catenacci-Morgan, AIA; Rick Rebottini, Assoc. AIA
General Contractor: Angelo Martini, A. Martini & Co.
MEP Consultant: Geoff Ford, CJL Engineering
Structural Engineering: Brian D. Hermiller, Taylor Structural Engineers
Lighting Design: Chris Hoyman, LAM Partners
Acoustical Consultant: Jeffrey Babich, Babich Acoustics
Low Voltage: Andrew Smith, Brighttree Studios
Artwork Consultant: James Fredrick, James Fredrick Art Gallery
Photographer: Andrew Rugge

Dickie McCamey’s new Pittsburgh headquarters exemplifies a bold step forward, redefining how they utilize their workplace as a catalyst for increased connections between attorneys, support teams, and staff. The firm has a legacy of having a welcoming and open culture—their space now reflects their way of supporting one another. Transitioning from a daylight-starved layout where attorneys were siloed within their private offices, the new design facilitates transparency and well-being with an inviting and timeless palette. With its central location in Four Gateway Center, the design team worked with Dickie McCamey to strategically select a new location that would showcase their commitment to the downtown business district, their employees, and their clients. Located near The Point, where Pittsburgh’s three rivers meet, the design reflects a similar convergence of ideas, community, and culture—transforming the law firm’s dated aesthetic into a source of pride and excitement for the future.

JURY COMMENT: Innovative rethinking of what it means to be a law firm office.

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LARGE: Honor Award

Christ the Teacher Academic Hall
Project Team: Benjamin Wetmore; Matthew Radican, AIA; Jacqueline Hammond; Kristen Bemis; Jingyan Li; Salim Mohd Alias;
Alan Hohlfelder; Jessica Stuck, AIA; Sierra Smith; Marco Virgili, AIA; David Byers; Muhammed Chalaby; Jacqueline Link
Architecture Firm: MCF Architecture
Contractor: Rycon Construction (Joel Schubert, Caitlin Delach, Zachery Morgan, Mark Zafaras, & Sean Decker)
Engineering: Thorson Baker + Associates (Don Schehl, Rob Piriak, Nicole Jones, Guy Hicks, Chuck Brenick, Mike Drab, Brandon Schafer, Justin Hosseininejad, Bryn Schafer, & Jim Rivard)
AV: BrightTree Studios (David Vargo & Bob Rotto)
Kitchen Design: Singer Ashland (Evan Felps, John Requard, Sheila Bryan, Katie Huber, Michelle Kimm, & Karl Tessing)
Photographer: Ed Massery

Christ the Teacher Academic Hall advances Franciscan University of Steubenville’s mission as enrollment, academic programs, and campus impact continue to grow. Bringing together engineering, business, and nursing under one roof, the building creates a vertical journey where each discipline maintains its identity while connecting to a larger academic community. A dedicated conference center further supports spiritual and educational gatherings, creating a vibrant hub for innovation, faith, and community.

JURY COMMENT: Nice rigor with the traditional elements such as arches and diamond-patterned brickwork. It doesn’t feel like a performative representation of traditional forms – the architect has used depth and shadows and contrasting modern elements to create a level of authenticity.

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LARGE: Silver Award

Glasshouse
Architecture Firm: Hord Coplan Macht
Project Team: Chris Harvey, AIA; Monica Robertson, AIA; Nan Yu, AIA; Annika Plevich, AIA; James Black, AIA; Wei-Chung Chang, AIA
Owner: James Murray-Coleman, High Street Residential
Contractor: Mike Figgins, Rycon Construction, Inc.
Landscape Architect: Daniel DeRosa, Hord Coplan Macht
Structural Engineer: Jason Dreher, Structura Inc.
Civil Engineer: Paul Ceriani, Langan
Mechanical Engineer: Rob Herlihy, Tower Engineering, Inc.
Electrical Engineer: Steffanie Bako, Tower Engineering, Inc.
Interior Design: Rebecca Jones, RD JONES
Lighting Consultant: Hal Hilbish, Hilbish McGee Lighting Design
Accessibility Consultant: Jeff Heitert, Steven Winter Associates, Inc.,
AV/IT Consultant: David Vargo, Bright Tree Studios
Sustainability Consultant: Andrea Foss, Steven Winter Associates, Inc.
Photographers: Max Kun Zhang; Chris Lange; Jeffrey Sauers

Glasshouse was designed to reconnect Pittsburgh’s downtown waterfront with the community by transforming a former asphalt lot into a vibrant, mixed-use gateway. The design integrates public access, green space, and trail connections with resident-focused amenities, creating shared experiences that support health, equity, and local culture. By restoring a blighted brownfield into a resilient, inclusive urban asset, the project makes a lasting impact on both daily life and the city’s long-term vitality.

JURY COMMENT: Enjoyed everything about it, particularly the public connection: taking advantage of and enriching the waterfront without monopolizing it. Massing is well executed and broken down into nicely composed elements reducing the scale of this massive project without feeling artificial. The presentation was very well put together.

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Excellence in Masonry Award

The Park at Southside
Architecture Firm: Desmone
Project Team:Travis Kreidler, AIA; Rebecca Lowe, AIA; Jen Bee, AIA; Eric Booth, AIA; Katelyn Walsh, AIA; Ingrid LaMay; Prerana Paliwal, Assoc. AIA; Lori Kreke
Civil Engineering: Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.
Landscape Architecture: UpStudio Landscapes, LLC
Structural Engineering: GFT Infrastructure, Inc.
MEP Engineering: Allen & Shariff
IT, AV & Security: Horizon Information Services
Visualization: GlassCow Studio
General Contractor: Rycon Construction, Inc.
Photographers: Greystar; Ed Rombout

The design of The Park at SouthSide aims to create a landmark that activates the site, connects the community to the river trail, and fosters a vibrant “live-work-play” environment. Key architectural goals include responsive massing that celebrates natural views, breaks down building scale with thoughtful volumes and projections, and integrates contextual artwork to enhance the pedestrian experience. By blending transparency, nature-inspired materials, and efficient spatial planning, the project seeks to harmonize urban density with human connection to the riverfront landscape.

JURY COMMENT: Extraordinary use of multiple masonry materials that fused into one structure. The combination of the block as an architectural element, along with the protruding brick pattern and the “floating” balcony blend extremely well together. The fact that masonry was chosen for this project, when other materials would have been acceptable shows the true desire for excellence.

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People’s Choice Award

New Trinity Intermediate School
Architecture Firm: DRAW Collective
Project Team: Daniel Engen, AIA; Jacklyn Cowan; Jessica Ondrusek, AIA; Victoria Hampton; Kayla Benton; John Reid; Art Flores
General Contractor: Travis Bailes, Rycon Construction
Construction Manager: Gene Laratonda & Nancy Rounsley, Massaro CM Services
MEP Engineering: Steffanie Bako, Tower Engineering
Structural Engineering: Jim Pospisil, Barber & Hoffman
Civil Engineering and Landscape Architecture: John Frydrych, Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.
Food Services Consultant: Michael Ventresca, Food Facilities Concepts, Inc.
Photographer: Ed Massery

Faced with increasing enrollment at the District’s elementary buildings, Trinity Area School District embarked on a multi-year exploration of how to address this challenge. The result was the design and construction of the new Trinity Intermediate School, a dedicated home to grades 4-5. The new building’s placement on the Middle School campus serves as a distinctive entry point, while modernizing the District’s architectural aesthetic. The design supports the District’s commitment to progressive education with flexible, tech-forward spaces, and collaborative learning zones. Recognizing the increasing complexity of students’ social, emotional, and learning needs, the project also features expanded special education and support service spaces tailored to the diverse needs of the student population. The learning ecosystems integrate biophilic design elements – interactive water feature, abundant natural lighting and biomorphic patterns.

New Trinity Intermediate School received 449 out 2358 votes.

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Young Architects Studio Competition Award

The Connection
Alyssa Penrod, RM Creative

The Connection is a resilient, multi-use space that acts as a microcosm of the region’s geography and community identity. Pedestrian paths curve and bend through the site, inspired by the winding flow of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers, while the rising and falling topography evokes the hills and valleys of Western Pennsylvania. Programmatic alcoves are carved into these mini-hills, creating a sense of discovery as one moves through the site.

The current site of surface parking lots and major road arteries offers minimal tree cover, poor drainage, and an uncomfortable pedestrian experience. Increased risks of flooding, poor infrastructure, air pollution, and the urban heat island effect in this area. Moments of shade and greenery follow the flow of movement within the intervention. By decentralizing surface parking and replacing impervious pavement with breathable pavers, shading structures, and native vegetation, the design mitigates heat, improves air quality, and prevents excessive stormwater runoff. Staggered riverfront platforms accommodate seasonal flooding. Lower levels absorb overflow, while upper terraces remain usable, adapting to the Ohio River’s changing levels.

JURY COMMENT: The jury was impressed by the project’s clear alignment with the competition prompt, both in its thoughtful written statement and final design. The proposal demonstrated strong attention to detail and a compelling narrative, presenting a vision that feels relevant in both the short and long term. The chosen site was well-suited to the prompt, and the presentation board was beautifully executed. Overall, this was the most complete and cohesive submission, effectively communicating the full range of ideas requested by the competition brief.