Member & Firm Updates
AE Works Celebrates Milestones
AE Works is proud to celebrate 18 years of delivering impactful, value-driven design solutions. This year also marks the one-year anniversary of WTW Architects joining AE Works—a milestone that has brought incredible momentum and growth to AE Works’ team of over 100 strong. Together, they are expanding their reach, strengthening their capabilities, and continuing to raise the bar in architecture and engineering as they build on our legacy of innovation and expertise.
DRAW Collective Celebrates 80 Years of Architectural Excellence
DRAW Collective recently celebrated 80 years of business. This milestone marks eight decades of building relationships, providing high-quality work and most importantly – designing places that matter, together.
From the firm’s founding in 1945 by Norman B. Kuhn and C. Edgar Newcomer, the company grew into Valentour English Bodnar & Howell, respectfully known as VEBH Architects, merged with Eckles Architecture in 2022, and today is known as DRAW Collective.
DRAW has consistently focused on projects for colleges & universities, hospitals & healthcare organizations, K-12 education and a variety of community entities. These projects are challenging and passion-filled for DRAW staff and clients. From operating rooms to innovative higher education space and newly constructed K-12 schools, the firm approaches each project with confidence, expertise, and empathy. Throughout the decades, DRAW has worked on projects in the western Pennsylvania region and beyond. From significant projects at the University of Pittsburgh and Allegheny Health Network to Waynesburg University and Trinity Area School District, all projects are meaningful experiences that have helped build DRAW’s foundational history.
LGA Partners President and Co-Managing Partner Named to PBT 2025 Women of Influence List
As president and co-managing partner at LGA Partners, Paulette Burns, AIA is a driving force at the region’s third-largest architecture firm, which employs about 90 people including 27 local architects. In her roles, she oversees operations including finance, human resources and strategic growth while also leading the firm’s retail, workplace and aviation studios. She has worked on major local projects that include both GNC and Aurora Innovation Inc.’s headquarters in the Strip District, as well as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ flagship store at Acrisure Stadium. A registered architect in 17 states, Burns also founded a real estate development company that focuses on the revitalization of her hometown of New Brighton in Beaver County. Read her profiled for the Pittsburgh Business Times Women of Influence list here.
Firms Named to Zweig Group Hot Firms List for 2025
The Hot Firms List honors the 100 fastest-growing AEC firms in the United States and Canada. AE Works and McKim & Creed are among the companies that have outperformed their peers to become industry leaders through a combination of strategic growth, strong leadership, and commitment to innovation. View the full list here.
Discover Pittsburgh’s 56 largest architecture firms
The Pittsburgh Business Times published the 2025 list of Pittsburgh’s largest architecture firms. These firms The largest architecture firms in Pittsburgh employ more than 2,000 staff in the greater Pittsburgh metro area, including more than 460 licensed architects. The top 5 firms include Stantec, AE Works, LGA Partners, McKinley Architecture + Engineering and MCF Architecture, and Perkins Eastman.
Projects
Project Updates from AE Works
AE Works Marks Groundbreaking at Lincoln University
AE Works marks the groundbreaking of Lincoln University’s newest residence hall. Designed by AE Works, this state-of-the-art, apartment-style living (ASL) facility is a major step in the University’s mission to enhance on-campus living and support student success. Set to open in early 2027, the four-story hall will house 315–365 students in modern four-bedroom suites—perfect for balancing personal space and community life.
AE Works Receives 19th ACUI Facility Design Award
AE Works has been selected for a feasibility study for a new community center in West Mifflin Borough. AE Works will provide expertise in project management, architecture, interior design, MEP engineering, and cost estimating. The team will work on program development and concept design for a facility that will offer a dynamic mix of recreation, athletics, and community spaces. The center is intended to serve as a multi-generational, inclusive, and accessible hub, fostering connection and engagement for West Mifflin Borough and the greater Mon-Valley region.
AE Works’ Design for ALCOSAN Receives Two Industry Awards
AE Works is honored to share that their design for the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority (ALCOSAN) Environmental Compliance Facility has earned two prestigious honors: Environmental Project of the Year from the Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania and a Merit Award for Electrical Systems Design from the Architectural Engineering Institute (AEI). Designed to support ALCOSAN’s $2 billion Clean Water Plan, this state-of-the-art facility—featuring advanced lab environments, a green roof, and ultra-efficient HVAC systems. These awards reflect the innovation, collaboration, and environmental stewardship at the heart of this 24/7 operational facility, and AE Works is proud to have played a role in bringing it to life.
IBEW Local 712 Celebrates Opening of New Union Hall Designed by DRAW Collective
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 712 recently held a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the opening of their new Union Hall located in Beaver, PA. The brand-new building features a large union hall for meetings and events, offices, conference rooms, and an outdoor patio. The detailed design emphasizes exposed infrastructure elements to help trainees see the building construction firsthand. Sustainability was a central focus of the design and was integrated into the building, site, and parking lot. The IBEW Local 712 has more than 450 professionally-trained electricians serving over 40 contractors in Beaver, Lawrence, Mercer, and Crawford Counties.