MEMBER & FIRM UPDATES
Anne Chen, AIA Launches New Business
Anne Chen, AIA, formerly Principal at GBBN, recently launched her Capital Projects Consultancy, BLD:ac, focused on helping organizations and businesses through the full life cycle of a building or space project. These projects are impactful but complex, especially for those who are engaging for the first time and/or don’t have the capacity to manage the process.
DLA+ Welcomes New Hire
DLA+ Architecture and Interior Design is pleased to announce that Peter Copetas has joined the firm as Architectural Designer. Peter is a recent graduate with Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Master of Architecture degrees from Kent State University. In his current role, Peter assists the firm’s project architects with all aspects of projects from programming through construction administration. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, DLA+ is a full-service architecture and interior design firm providing clients with a collaborative partnership and integrated approach through its Strategic ArchitectureSM solutions.
Landmarks SGA, LLC Opens New Office in Pittsburgh and Welcomes New Project Architect
Landmarks SGA and our affiliated landscape architecture and urban design company Stromberg / Garrigan & Associates (SGA) are excited to announce the opening of our office in Pittsburgh! Our new space is located in the Brewery Innovation Center, part of the Penn Brewery complex, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As specialists in the practice of historic preservation and the adaptive reuse of historic structures, we are beyond excited to be in a building that embraces the focus of our firm. Please stop in and say hello (and maybe even grab a beer!)
Landmarks SGA is also proud to welcome a new Project Architect – Amy Ahn Baade, AIA, Well AP. Amy is a licensed architect with experience in all phases of design on a variety of project types and a specialty in adaptive reuse projects and working with historic buildings. Expanding on her experience in design and construction administration over the course of her career, Amy is proficient with design and modeling software and can produce a range of project materials, from presentation graphics and renderings to technical construction documents. A few noteworthy projects that Amy has been involved in include MuseumLab at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, The Garden Room at the National Aviary, and the Masonic Hall Lofts in Homestead, PA. In addition to having her architectural license for over 3 years, Amy is also a WELL AP and strives to incorporate various design and building system strategies to improve occupant wellness in her projects.
mossArchitects expands Firm Ownership
As mossArchitects reaches its 16-year anniversary, the firm is proud to announce the expansion of its ownership group beyond that of founder, Andrew Moss. This is a tremendous opportunity and obvious next step for the growth and development of the firm. Joining Andrew as owners of mossArchitects are Katie LaForest and Darren Lloyd, who have been in firm leadership roles for several years.
As one of the premier collaborative architecture and interior design firms in Pittsburgh, mossArchitects’ work is based upon an open, collective, teamwork environment. It is therefore in line with their mission and values to expand in ownership. Katie and Darren bring broad and extensive architectural experience along with leadership to their new role.
“I never started this firm with the intention of being a sole owner. The idea of collaborating with a team that inspires and supports each other is what I have always loved about this work. I am proud of the architectural work that has come out of this firm but even more-so proud of the people that make this firm what it is,” Andrew states.
Katie LaForest, RA, LEED AP joined the firm in 2011 and has been twice promoted. Currently leading the firm as an Associate Principal, she has been a part of the core team for over a decade. During her tenure at mossArchitects, she has contributed to a wide range of projects including urban planning within Butler County and office fit-outs including Incline Equity Partners and Argo AI. She has led adaptive reuse and city infill projects such as Homestead Bakery Lofts and LaGourmandine Hazelwood. Her project expertise has spanned from single-family residences, mixed-use developments, and commercial interiors to urban planning. Katie is drawn to projects that thoughtfully contribute to Pittsburgh’s evolutionary urban landscape. Her projects are recognized for their innovative environmentally conscious designs. She has received both local AIA and national awards for her work.
As part of the leadership team, Katie spearheads the firm’s equitable practice and community engagement efforts. She is proactive in cultivating firm culture and mentorship. Her dedication as well as leadership within the firm has made a progressive improvement in the firm’s processes and fostered staff advancement.
Darren Lloyd, RA, LEED AP joined the firm in 2015 and has also been twice promoted. He is currently leading the firm as an Associate Principal alongside Katie. His level of expertise spans over 25 years of project types from large campus plans to delicate custom residential renovations and additions. Underlying Darren’s experience is a commitment to modern design that enables inventive and intelligent solutions that prioritize function, form, space, and light while being exceptionally detailed. During his tenure at mossArchitects, he has contributed to unique custom single and multi-family residences, as well as commercial mixed-use facilities including Garfield’s new Pedantic Arts Residency building. Darren’s projects have received over 20 design awards, including ten AIA awards and one AIA National Honor Award. They have also appeared in many prominent publications.
As part of the leadership team, Darren brings a design focus and integrity to the firm’s work that is rooted in excellence of documentation and technical thoroughness. He is grateful to the extraordinary architects that counseled and furthered his early, architectural experiences. Darren uses his leadership role to provide mentorship to the firm’s up-and-coming talented architects and designers.
This is an exciting new chapter for mossArchitects, as it extends and advances what they have built over the last 16 years. This is just the start of future developments.
Perkins Eastman Celebrates Top Talent with 2022 Promotions
Global architecture and design firm Perkins Eastman is thrilled to announce the elevation of 131 members of its staff this year. With their collective passion, out-of-the-box thinking, and unquestionable skill, these talented individuals not only represent the best of Perkins Eastman, but the best of the architecture and design industry.
Perkins Eastman’s Pittsburgh studio celebrates the following individuals who have been promoted:
• Associate Principal Melissa DeStout, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
• Senior Associate Jennica Deely
• Senior Associate Jim Kraus
• Senior Associate Emily Pierson-Brown, AIA, AICP, LEED Green Associate
• Senior Associate Bethany Yoder, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP
• Associate Hannah Marion, NCIDQ, LEED Green Associate
PWWG Architects Welcomes New Hires
PWWG Architects is proud to announce their newest Pittsburgh team members!
Mike Kashtan, Architectural Designer, received his Masters of Interior Architecture from Chatham University. He has a particular interest in utilizing design software to create multi-faceted and tailored design packages. Mike lives in Squirrel Hill with his wife and two children. In his spare time, he loves participating in local running events and taking his golden retriever on the trails in Frick Park. At PWWG, Mike is excited to work alongside dedicated professionals to create design solutions that preserve the historic beauty of Pittsburgh and the Ohio River Valley area.
Louis Suarez, Graduate Architect, is a two-time graduate from Carnegie Mellon School of Architecture. His interests cover a broad spectrum from sustainable design and materials science to architectural history and theory. Aside from his architectural work, Louis is a classical guitarist of eleven years. He has made solo and chamber appearances with the Pittsburgh Classical Guitar Society, the Carnegie Mellon Guitar Ensemble, and the Carnegie Mellon Contemporary Music Ensemble. Louis is also an avid road cyclist. He believes the world is best seen from the seat of a bicycle, and often takes long rides outside of Pittsburgh to explore industrial and agricultural infrastructure along the three rivers.
WTW Architects is Pleased to Announce New Staff Additions:
Lauren Albert joins the WTW team as an Architectural Associate after completing an extended summer internship with WTW. Lauren received her Bachelor of Architecture from Fairmont State University this year.
Dayna Wolfe joins the WTW team as the Marketing Coordinator. Dayna brings a background of mixed experience to the team and has a BA in Marketing and Psychology from Auburn University.
PROJECTS
Roxian Theatre Strikes the Right Chord with Preservation PA Judges
PWWG Architects is delighted to announce that their Roxian Theatre project has been selected by an independent review panel of experts to receive a Construction (Rehabilitation) Award at the 2022 Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Awards.
Blending selective restoration with contemporary elements was the innovative hybrid approach for transforming the historic Roxian Theatre for a new program of live music. Each portion of the project required evaluation of the existing condition and the individual determination on whether the existing condition could remain or needed to be replaced, and then updated to support the new. The result is a one-of-a-kind heritage theater that transcends pure nostalgia – modern, well-appointed, yet full of mystique and grandeur from its former life.
Today, the Roxian Theatre is open and fully operational, hosting artists that have typically bypassed Pittsburgh for lack of a suitable venue. In addition to filling that venue void, the theatre itself embraces the spirit of the McKees Rocks community it calls home while standing out with preserved and polished architectural features. The renovated floor area was designed to allow ease of movement within the ample space. It’s split by a two-step staircase that leads to a lower level directly in front of the stage, creating immaculate sightlines from any angle. There’s not a beam, rafter, wall or support between you and your perfect view of the stage.
The importance of this venue to McKees Rocks cannot be overstated. With a capacity of 1,470, it has created a destination that brings a herd of hungry concertgoers to the neighborhood. The Roxian is a catalyst for new business development, residential growth, new recreational opportunities, and the creation of jobs for the community’s residents.
Rangos Anatomy Lab Renovation at Duquesne University by
WTW Architects
WTW Architects is proud to feature the Rangos Anatomy Lab Renovation at Duquesne University. The lab transformation increased the number of lab stations by taking down the walls that separated the lab from an adjacent classroom and locating the workstations along the perimeter of the room. Additionally, the use of rotating cadaver tables doubled the number of student groups using the lab each semester. The air exchange management was improved by placing the exhaust systems at each station along the wall, in-line with the anatomy tables. All stations allow student to collaborate using high-definition monitors and computers in conjunction with movable cameras. An autopsy station, cadaver freezer and cadaver storage area was also added to the space. The demolition of the adjacent rooms exposed the lab to additional windows which resulted in increased daylight and improved overall indoor environment. The renovation was completed earlier this year, and students have been actively utilizing the lab since September.
PARTNER & ALLIED MEMBER NEWS
Allen + Shariff Welcomes New Hires
Allen + Shariff Corporation is pleased to announce two new hires:
Michael Heath has joined the Pittsburgh Office, as a Senior Mechanical Designer.
Josie Wind has joined the Pittsburgh Office, as a CAD Technician.
Allen + Shariff Corporation is a mechanical/electrical/plumbing/fire protection engineering and commissioning services company, with its headquarters in Columbia, MD and offices in Pittsburgh, PA, Zelienople, PA, Chicago, IL, Salisbury, MD, and Wilmington, NC.