ARCHITECTURE: Silver Award
Project: Hidden Path Residence
Client: Private
Architecture Firm: Bohlin Cywinski Jackson
Contractor: Artisan Construction Associates
Engineers: Robert Silman Associates & Joseph Fischetti, P.E.
Photographer: Peter Aaron Architectural Photography
Landscape Architect: Buttercup Design Group
Consultants: TRM Enterprises, Shearman Cabinetry, Loewen, Vermont Slate, Riverhead Building Supply
The project was to optimize views of the water while maintaining privacy, creating sizable outdoor living spaces that respect the close proximity of neighbors, and creating a clear sense of separation between the public and private spaces of the house despite the compact footprint allowable on the site. The house is sited to take full advantage of the relationship to the bay, with a primary view and circulation axis that is directly aligned through the shoreline reeds to the water. The house is organized via two perpendicular volumes that intersect to provide a clear sense of movement to the water. The low single-story pavilion houses the public functions of the house and provides direct access to the outdoors, while the two-story copper volume contains the private spaces which are oriented to provide framed views out to the bay.
JURY COMMENTS: This project has a great plan, arranged in two overlapping volumes that intersect and clearly define the axial relationship to the bay. It is outstanding in plan, section, and detail. The window placement and angles take advantage of the site’s sweeping panoramas of the Peconic Bay. We appreciate the choice of warm exterior materials that will age nicely with the landscape. The exquisite detailing throughout shows the agility of the designer and it is a design that takes full advantage of a beautiful site. There is no retreat that we’d rather spend a weekend in.
ARCHITECTURE: Honor Award
Project: Century Inn
Client: Megin Harrington
Architecture Firm: Margittai Architects
Contractor: Waller Corporation
Engineers: Conway Engineering
Photographer: Breanna Kristian Photography & Pittsburgh Real Estate Media
Consultants: J.A. Saur Co.; Merit Electrical Group; Pine Hollow Mechanical, Inc.; DeFrank & Son Custom Cabinets, Inc.; Arch Masonry & Restoration; Heritage Restoration
On August 18, 2015, Western Pennsylvania lost one of its most iconic buildings – Century Inn – to a fire which began in a mechanical room. The inn, which had been operating since 1788 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, had been visited by notable figures like Andrew Jackson, Marquis de Lafayette, and Abraham Lincoln. Over the next 2-1/2 years, the Owners worked with a dedicated team of Architect, contractor, and local craftsmen, to restore the inn to its former glory. Reopened in April 2018, Century Inn now features its existing stone walls and hand-hewn heavy timber ceilings as well as replicated windows, made of historical glass, on its first-floor facade. The inn also features nine guest rooms, updated fire, and safety systems, a chef’s table in a room adjacent to the state-of-the-art kitchen, four separate historic dining rooms, a tavern, and an outdoor gazebo.
JURY COMMENTS: This is a perfectly executed restoration of a building on the National Register of Historic Places. The new addition successfully compliments the historic stone inn. The attentive detailing was the key to restoring the inn to its former glory. We applaud the difficult task of salvaging badly damaged original materials. This is a landmark for Post-Colonial Western Pennsylvania architecture that now has a better opportunity to welcome many more generations. The drawings demonstrate a mastery of historic detailing. Don’t underestimate the value of this type of drawing in future submittals.
ARCHITECTURE: Certificate of Merit
Project: Scaife Hall Renovation and Addition
Client: University of Pittsburgh
Architecture Firm: Payette / Moshier Studio
Contractor: Mascaro Construction & Turner Construction
Engineers: Simpson Gumpertz & Heger; Affiliated Engineers, Inc.
Photographer: Warren Jagger Photography, Inc.
Consultants: Arup Lighting Design, BrightTree Studios
Creating a new front entry for the School of Medicine, the new two-story student lounge responds to the historic bones of the 1956 Scaife Hall Building. A variety of renovated interior spaces, including replacing the 1950s escalators with an open, light and airy staircase that promotes wellness and reduces energy and annual maintenance costs, an interactive multi-media display, the new student lounge, and café and admissions office, creates an active social hub for the School.
JURY COMMENTS: This project creates a significant moment of entry in a relatively flat and regular façade. It is an iconic, well-scaled intervention while respecting the historic limestone façade. The vertical rhythm of the sunshades responds well to the existing vertical windows while introducing a new dynamic geometry. The beautiful detailing of the perforated aluminum façade intervention is a great addition of natural light for the interior while mitigating solar heat gain and glare with the calibrated sun shading system.
ARCHITECTURE: Certificate of Merit
Project: Chartiers Valley Middle School
Client: Chartiers Valley Middle School
Architecture Firm: IKM Architecture
Contractor: PJ Dick
Engineers: Gateway Engineers, Keystone Structural Solutions, Tower Engineering
Photographer: IKM Architecture/Adam Warner
Affiliated Architect: BLRB Architects
Brought to life by its students and faculty, the new middle school gives educators the right tool to prepare students for the next phase of their secondary education. The design is organized into small learning communities that allow educators to embrace multi-disciplinary collaboration and create an entirely new paradigm for students. Applied engineering programs, fine arts, and family & consumer sciences once located down back halls and out of the ebb and flow now live in the central core of the facility. Greater transparency exposes students to the district’s unique educational offerings and encourages enrollment in maker-based programs that are the cornerstone of the district’s emphasis on project-based learning.
JURY COMMENTS: The jury recognizes this project in particular for the design of the Student Commons, and more specifically, the wall. The wall is a very creative and dynamic use of acoustic wall panels. It achieves the goal of using space to impact learning and spark inspiration. This is an excellent design that would have been superb if the wall patterns would change from floor to floor, rather than just the colors. The exterior massing is interesting and we appreciate the inclusive visioning and planning process described, with a wide range of stakeholders. The architects have created a learner-centered environment that fuels curiosity and discovery.
ARCHITECTURE: Certificate of Merit
Project: Forest Hills Municipal Building
Client: Borough of Forest Hills
Architecture Firm: Pfaffmann + Associates
Contractor: Volpatt Construction
Engineers: Iams Consulting, Schneider Engineering
Photographer: Massery Photography
Landscape Architect: Common Ground
Consultants: SEECH Industries, EIS Solar, Porter SIPS, Zottola Landscaping, PELLA Windows, Eastern Architectural Products
JURY COMMENTS: It is extremely impressive to achieve a Net Zero performance goal and this project has a fairly delicate appearing envelope for such high R-values. This has a building section that responds well to solar management and daylighting. We appreciate the exquisite hand-drawn sections. There is a good use of natural materials that reflect the sustainable aspects of the building. It is a very thoughtful siting of the building to take advantage of the roof configuration for the photovoltaic array. It has a nice linear parti organizing a variety of programs. It is a tremendous example for a municipal building in how sustainability can be achieved in tandem with strong design.
DESIGN + INNOVATION: Honor Award
Project: REACH
Client: Computer Reach
Architecture Firm: Urban Design Build Studio (UDBS)
Contractor: PROJECT RE_
Photographer: UDBS
Consultants: Computer Reach, Standard & Custom
REACH is a mass-produced, mobile classroom for a local non-profit specializing in humanitarian computer outreach. The REACH cart is deployed to Carnegie Library locations throughout the greater Pittsburgh region to facilitate computer literacy courses targeting low-income and elderly residents. Housing all of the equipment needed for the classes, the REACH cart is essentially a classroom in a box, allowing any space larger than 9 feet by 18 feet to be quickly turned into a learning center for eight students.
JURY COMMENTS: REACH provides low-income and elderly residents in the Pittsburgh region with basic computer skills. The design of the cart is predicated on requirements of function, accessibility, and aesthetics. This project has great prototyping and branding. It’s often hard to figure stuff like this out and this project fits a lot into one box and is scalable. It is a great reuse of existing materials and is extremely well presented with excellent graphics.
DESIGN + INNOVATION: Certificate of Merit
Project: OV Course
Client: PROJECT RE_Entrepreneur-in-Training (EIT) Program
Architecture Firm: Urban Design Build Studio (UDBS)
Contractor: PROJECT RE_
Photographer: UDBS
Consultants: Trade Institute of Pittsburgh, Construction Junction
OV COURSE is an initiative seeking to address issues of food access, entrepreneurship/economic opportunity, and community interaction in Pittsburgh through the design, production, and implementation of pre-fabricated, mass-produced community ovens for the baking of bread and pizza. As a strategic intervention into an existing context, OV COURSE aspires to increase access to healthy, affordable food for individuals in under-represented communities in Pittsburgh 1) directly by serving as a new source for food and 2) indirectly by facilitating job skills training and entrepreneurship opportunities that elevate one’s prospects for building wealth. Additionally, OV COURSE aspires to take advantage of the opportunity to enhance community interaction and pride through the creation of place-specific spaces centered on the act of breaking bread.
JURY COMMENTS: This project uses architecture and design to fill an extremely important need of providing food for individuals in under-represented communities. It aspires to take advantage of the opportunity to enhance community interaction and pride through the creation of place-specific spaces centered on the act of breaking bread. The unction of the oven and ergonomics of using it is represented in an interesting form. It’s both fun and functional. Furthering the connection to the Pittsburgh community, materials incorporated into the ovens are sourced from regional deconstruction projects.
INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE: Honor Award
Project: Creative Studio
Client: Anonymous
Architecture Firm: Bohlin Cywinski Jackson
Contractor: Mosites Construction Company
Engineers: Iams Consulting, LLC
Photographer: Bohlin Cywinski Jackson
Consultants: iNTERFACE, Modernica
This modest studio interior explores how the framework of a historic, mid-century structure can become the armature for a creative design process that is fueled by Ideation, Inspiration, Implementation, and Integration. This economical interior first stripped the existing space back to expose the historic stone entry walls and original cast-in-place concrete deck and columns, creating an open, loft-like space. A productive creative design process demands engaged thought and active participants. The design of the studio leverages the guidelines and metrics of the WELL building standard to create a healthy, interactive, and efficient space where a community of designers actively control their workplace.
JURY COMMENTS: This is a modest interior that serves as the ideal backdrop for a creative design studio. There is an elegant selection of materials and finishes that are neutral while being punctuated by the pops of colorful furniture. The layout is clearly understandable, creating a balance of private and collaborative workspaces. It integrates the WELL building guidelines and creates an environment in which we would all be delighted to work.
INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE: Certificate of Merit
Project: Mediterra Café
Client: Mediterra Bakehouse
Architecture Firm: Wildman Chalmers Design
Contractor: FMS Construction
Engineers: Whitney Bailey Cox & Magnani, LLC
Photographer: Anthony Musmanno Photography
Consultants: National Woodwork, Run Rabbit Gilding, Dan Peluso Sculpture, Allied Millwork
The Mediterra Café project was proposed to bring an upscale and unique market, bakery and café to the main business district of Sewickley, PA. A façade renovation with custom wood storefront reived the streetscape presence and is both fresh and timeless. The goal of the interior design was to create multiple experiences for the customers as they interact with the different aspects of the shop.
- Jury moved this project to the Interior category from the Small Project category.
- A well designed and executed homage to small storefronts of the past.
- The floor is really great.
- Well thought out design of shelving and furniture.
- Just a nice, welcoming atmosphere
REGIONAL + URBAN DESIGN: Honor Award
Project: Breathe Easy: Millvale Air Quality Planning
Client: Millvale Ecodistrict
Architecture Firm: evolve environment :: architecture
Consultants: Advisory Committee
JURY COMMENTS: This project demonstrates how a citizen science research project can utilize expertise in the region to empower residents and produce impactful placemaking strategies. It is very well presented and is creative and useful to the community.
REGIONAL + URBAN DESIGN: Certificate of Merit
Project: Busway Futures: Penn Station Transit Plaza
Client: Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group (PCRG) and Port Authority of Allegheny County
Architecture Firm: evolve environment :: architecture
Engineers: Delta Development Group
Consultants: PCRG
JURY COMMENTS: We appreciate the project vision that reimagines the public space at Penn Station, critical as the city works to revitalize the downtown experience. This project is very well presented and successful at identifying projects over time, making it manageable.
SMALL PROJECTS: Honor Award
Project: High Meadow Studio at Fallingwater
Client: Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
Architecture Firm: Bohlin Cywinski Jackson
Contractor: Jendoco Construction Company
Engineers: Common Ground; Iams Consulting, LLC
Photographer: Christian Phillips Photography
Consultants: Laird Plastics, Overhead Door Company of Greater Pittsburgh, Atlas Wholesale Supply
An existing garage along the edge of the woods had been previously utilized as a design studio for the summer programs at High Meadow. The small size limited the program’s capacity while the lack of natural daylight, views, and ventilation left the students disconnected from the adjacent meadow. The design team was challenged to create a new seasonal studio that would double the existing space, adding a fabrication shop, review space, storage, support services, a covered outdoor work area, and most importantly, a strong connection to the natural surroundings. Instead of demolishing the aging garage structure, the team leveraged the resources of the existing building, re-skinning it and re-purposing it, and adding a studio pavilion which extends into the woods behind the existing structure, positioned strategically between the mature trees, leaving the forest edge intact.
JURY COMMENTS: This project is faithful to its function, the studio complements its rural setting with modest form, efficient materials, and honest details. It has made a big impact on a small budget and is an innovative reuse of the existing garage. The drawings are fantastic and elegant. We appreciate the roof vents that draw cool air from the forest floor across the studio through operable panels below the full-length pin-up wall. The construction is simple and straightforward construction that is appropriate to the site and use.
SMALL PROJECTS: Certificate of Merit
Project: Katsefanas Coffee Building
Client: Q Development
Architecture Firm: Pfaffmann + Associates
Contractor: Mistick Construction
Engineers: Schneider Engineering
Photographer: Pfaffmann + Associates
Consultants: Pittsburgh Urban Tree
Adaptive Reuse of a historic manufacturing building for offices. Celebrates the addition of a new stair while preserving the existing historic exterior and interior character.
JURY COMMENTS: This is a well-executed façade restoration, which started with a good building and didn’t mess it up. We love the framed detail around the windows which is a nice interface between old and new and brings warmth to the space.
SMALL PROJECTS: Certificate of Merit
Project: The Ewing House
Client: Tabatha Ewing
Architecture Firm: Fisher ARCHitecture
Contractor: Cummings Construction
Engineers: House and Building Engineering
Photographer: Eric Fisher, Joey Reid, Fly Over Properties
A client with four daughters wants to oversee their activities effectively from a central location The solution: The kitchen became the house control center, similar to an all-seeing Panopticon tower. From that central space, the three outdoor courts, along with the den and the living room, are clearly visible.
JURY COMMENTS: We like how the home has been perched on the earth and appreciate the function of a single mother being able to clearly watch over her four young children outside. We appreciate the sustainability aspects incorporating the geothermal wells and earth-sheltered construction and we really like the drawings.
SUSTAINABILITY + RESILIENCE: Honor Award
Project: Forest Hills Municipal Building
Client: Borough of Forest Hills
Architecture Firm: Pfaffmann + Associates
Contractor: Volpatt Construction
Engineers: Iams Consulting, Schneider Engineering
Photographer: Massery Photography
Landscape Architect: Common Ground
Consultants: SEECH Industries, EIS Solar, Porter SIPS, Zottola Landscaping, PELLA Windows, Eastern Architectural Products
JURY COMMENTS: It is extremely impressive to achieve a Net Zero performance goal and this project has a fairly delicate appearing envelope for such high R-values. This has a building section that responds well to solar management and daylighting. We appreciate the exquisite hand-drawn sections. There is a good use of natural materials that reflect the sustainable aspects of the building. It is a very thoughtful siting of the building to take advantage of the roof configuration for the photovoltaic array. It has a nice linear parti organizing a variety of programs. It is a tremendous example for a municipal building in how sustainability can be achieved in tandem with strong design.
SUSTAINABILITY + RESILIENCE: Certificate of Merit
Project: Gold 1 Parking Facility
Client: Stadium Authority of the City of Pittsburgh
Architecture Firm: WTW Architects
Contractor: Massaro Construction Group
Engineers: Gateway Engineers; A&A Consultants, Inc; Advantus Engineers; Monaloh Basin Engineers
Photographer: Halkin Mason Photography
Consultants: Walker Parking Consultants, GeoMechanics, Inc.
The Gold 1 Parking facility does double duty as a transportation hub for daily commuters and as an events garage for football and baseball games and concerts at Heinz Field, PNC Park, and Stage AE. The signature façade, featuring undulating aluminum airfoil-shaped fins, harkens to the rivers that define the city of Pittsburgh. Accomplishing exemplary levels of sustainability, the design was recognized as the first Parksmart Gold certified facility in the world in 2018.
YOUNG ARCHITECTS STUDIO COMPETITION: Award of Excellence
PROJECT NAME: Carnegie Library Bibliopark
PARTICIPANT: Lainey Phillips
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD WINNER
Project: Century Inn
Client: Megin Harrington
Architecture Firm: Margittai Architects
Contractor: Waller Corporation
Engineers: Conway Engineering
Photographer: Breanna Kristian Photography & Pittsburgh Real Estate Media
Consultants: J.A. Saur Co.; Merit Electrical Group; Pine Hollow Mechanical, Inc.; DeFrank & Son Custom Cabinets, Inc.; Arch Masonry & Restoration; Heritage Restoration
On August 18, 2015, Western Pennsylvania lost one of its most iconic buildings – Century Inn – to a fire which began in a mechanical room. The inn, which had been operating since 1788 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, had been visited by notable figures like Andrew Jackson, Marquis de Lafayette, and Abraham Lincoln. Over the next 2-1/2 years, the Owners worked with a dedicated team of Architect, contractor, and local craftsmen, to restore the inn to its former glory. Reopened in April 2018, Century Inn now features its existing stone walls and hand-hewn heavy timber ceilings as well as replicated windows, made of historical glass, on its first-floor facade. The inn also features nine guest rooms, updated fire, and safety systems, a chef’s table in a room adjacent to the state-of-the-art kitchen, four separate historic dining rooms, a tavern, and an outdoor gazebo.
JURY COMMENTS: This is a perfectly executed restoration of a building on the National Register of Historic Places. The new addition successfully compliments the historic stone inn. The attentive detailing was the key to restoring the inn to its former glory. We applaud the difficult task of salvaging badly damaged original materials. This is a landmark for Post-Colonial Western Pennsylvania architecture that now has a better opportunity to welcome many more generations. The drawings demonstrate a mastery of historic detailing. Don’t underestimate the value of this type of drawing in future submittals.