Member Updates
AE Works Promotions and New Hires
AE Works is excited to announce recent promotions and new hires in their Architecture and Interior Design and Engineering groups.
Fred Santoro, RA, LEED AP has been promoted to Senior Project Architect. Fred has led the design of numerous high-profile projects in the region and beyond while at AE Works, including the new Environmental Compliance Laboratory + Parking Garage for ALCOSAN, PA Turnpike Southern Beltway Maintenance Facility and the Edgeworth Club Rotunda Restoration that received an AIA Pittsburgh Merit award.
Beverly Shelby, NCIDQ has been promoted to Senior Interior Designer. Beverly has a proven track record of applying innovative and best practices into a range of healthcare, laboratory and office projects at AE Works for national healthcare, leading research institutions and commercial clients. Recent notable projects include the Edgeworth Club Rotunda Restoration that received an AIA Pittsburgh Merit award, development of national furniture requirements for a nationwide government client and several headquarters projects.
Beth Kassahun, PE has been promoted to Senior Electrical Engineer. Beth has led the design of critical power solutions for national healthcare, leading research institutions and commercial clients while at AE Works – including a new substation and infrastructure solution that will power the 1st Hadron Therapy Facility in the country.
David Rispoli, PE, PMP joins AE Works as a Senior Project Manager. In this role at AE Works, David is responsible for leading multidisciplinary teams to deliver transformative solutions for critical building projects for government, healthcare and commercial clients. With a thirty-five year career spanning design, project management, operations and leadership roles, he brings experience in every facet of the A/E industry. Experience includes a diverse range of transportation, correctional, judicial, public safety, healthcare, commercial, manufacturing, and educational building projects.
DLA+ Staff Updates
DLA+ Architecture & Interior Design is proud to announce the promotion of Laura DeLuca, RA to Project Architect. Laura recently passed the Architect Registration Examination and is now licensed to practice as an Architect in Pennsylvania. Laura joined DLA+ in the summer of 2016 as an intern. After graduating with a Bachelor of Architecture from the Pennsylvania State University in 2017, she started a full-time position with the firm. At DLA+, Laura works on many different types of projects, but primarily focuses on Sports, Higher Education, and Residential. Her recent projects include the University of Pittsburgh Willis Academic Support Center Renovation, University of Pittsburgh Petersen Events Center Basketball Suite Renovations, and the Holy Family Institute Gymnasium and Recreation Center.
DLA+ is also excited to announce that Laura Curry has rejoined the firm as an Interior Designer. Laura received a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from Kent State University. She previously worked with DLA+ as an intern in 2018 and 2019 and gained additional experience in Interior Design at another firm prior to returning to DLA+.
Landmarks SGA, LLC., Welcomes New Architectural Designer and New Architecture Practice Leader
Leah Scabilloni, Assoc. AIA is an architectural designer with experience engaged in all phases of design on a wide array of commercial projects. Leah’s proficient knowledge of design software allows for her to efficiently produce detailed renderings, graphic presentations, and full construction documentation packages. She is also enthusiastic about understanding the goals and ambitions of each client and strives to find the appropriate solutions for each project. One of Leah’s previous roles allowed her to develop her knowledge of the built environment, understand construction and code details, and advance her career over a span of 8.5 years. A few noteworthy projects that Leah has been involved with include Light of Life Rescue Mission on Pittsburgh’s North Shore, The Junction at Bloomfield, Vollmer of America Headquarters, Cranberry Family Dentistry, and Cranberry Dental Studio. With her 10+ years of experience developing thoughtful designs, she is currently pursuing her professional licensure.
Jessica Stuck, AIA is a highly driven architect with more than a decade of experience focusing on the preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation of existing buildings in the cultural, civic, multi-family, and higher education markets. She is passionate about creating environments that honor the historic character of a place, while maintaining or re-envisioning the function for modern uses to encourage the continued existence of historically significant structures. Jessica integrates
her architectural, technical, and management skills to successfully complete a diverse range of projects, from building envelope reports and feasibility studies to complex construction projects. Her portfolio includes experience with landmark buildings including the Rotunda at the University of Virginia, Vanderbilt Mansion, Allegheny County Courthouse, and Arlington National Cemetery Amphitheater. Jessica’s background with these projects and others with local, state, and federal significance has given her extensive knowledge of grant and tax credit requirements, as well as The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. In addition to her professional work, Jessica has been privileged to share her enthusiasm for historic structures as a volunteer with local community organizations as well as an adjunct instructor at the collegiate level.
Garfield-based mossArchitects Welcomes New Designers
mossArchitects is proud to welcome two new Designers, Unnati Ghelani and Nicholas Coppula, to its team.
Unnati Ghelani graduated from Gujarat University with a Bachelor of Architecture in 2018, becoming fully licensed in 2019. Both professionally and academically, she has focused on projects that have incorporated the local environment and nature into the design approach. Throughout her career she has gained experience on each step of the process – from the initial design phase to final construction and delivery.
Nicholas Coppula will graduate from Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Architecture in 2023. Architecture is his second career, following a ten-year career as a professional dancer in Pittsburgh and New York City. During his time dancing, Nicholas also had many opportunities to crossover and work with scenic design, stage lighting design, and construction. He views architecture as a constructive art and has a passion for fabrication. He is particularly interested in the roll of digital fabrication in the future of architectural practice.
New Hires at Strada
Strada is excited to share that we’ve onboarded 6 new Stradistas this year! Welcome to
Carolyn Brinker, Human Resources Specialist
Kellie Locke, Architect
Anthony Lucarelli, AIA, Architect
Heather Michael Grew, Architect
Phillip Rozell, Administrative & Accounting Specialist
Marco Virgili, AIA, Architect
In other exciting news, Strada recently launched a new studio in Chapel Hill, NC. We celebrated this new venture with a launch party on May 20th at the Boxyard RTP. Experience the fun, in hindsight, via this cool photo recap!
Firms on the Move
McKinley Architecture & Engineering Expands to Pittsburgh
McKinley Architecture & Engineering is excited to announce the expansion of our company into the Pittsburgh region. McKinley Architecture & Engineering has been based in Wheeling, West Virginia for over 40 years, primarily serving the Pre-K – 12 school market. McKinley Architecture & Engineering has had a presence in Pennsylvania for a number of years with branch offices in Washington and Mt. Lebanon, but has recently established an office north of Pittsburgh in Wexford. Recent project wins in West Virginia has allowed the Wexford office grow from 2 employees to 12 in under 3 years.
Wade Weissman Architecture Moves to Strip District
New space, new place…we’re excited to announce Wade Weissman Architecture has moved! We’re increasing our square footage from South Highland Ave. to the Cigar Factory on Smallman Street in the Strip District area. Much like the projects we create for our clients, we focused on making our new office inviting and welcoming, designing this space with the comfort of our clients and staff top of mind. Please stop in and say hello in the coming months once we’re settled in.
Projects
PA Women’s Center & Shelter by Rothschild Doyno Collaborative Awarded LEED
The Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh (WC&S) recently announced that it was awarded a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification for its building renovation. the center’s renovation achieved LEED certification for implementing practical and measurable strategies and solutions in areas including sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.
To complete the project, WC&S partnered with local architecture and urban design firm, Rothschild Doyno Collaborative, to create a sanctuary environment for survivors of domestic violence and their children.
“The creation of the sanctuary environment is focused on making a warm and welcoming space that helps to rebuild trust in oneself and others,” said Melanie Buzgan Dower, AIA, Principal at Rothschild Doyno Collaborative. “By utilizing familiar, natural materials and elevating access to nature, light, and modulated control of one’s surroundings, we were able to align the goal of creating a home that fosters healing, connections, and recovery from trauma with the creation of a healthier and more sustainable building.”
For construction, Pittsburgh-based contractor Rycon Construction Inc. was brought on to carry out work throughout the entire facility. The team was reported to have completed the project in phases to assure uninterrupted and secure functioning of the vital shelter services provide by WC&S. Read about the project.
“Completing the Loop” Plan by evolveEA Wins National Award for Excellence in Sustainability
The Completing the Loop plan for Pittsburgh’s riverfronts, developed by Riverlife and evolve environment :: architecture, received an American Planning Association (APA) award through the Sustainable Communities Division at its annual National Planning Conference. The Sustainable Communities Division Awards for Excellence in Sustainability is an annual program that honors projects, plans, policies, individuals, and organizations dedicated to supporting sustainable communities. Each year, the award winners are announced during the annual National Planning Conference. The Completing the Loop plan outlines a ten-year vision to complete, enhance, and expand the 15-mile, 1,050-acre network of riverfront trails and green space centered on Downtown Pittsburgh and adjacent neighborhoods.
Riverlife envisions a Pittsburgh where thriving world-class riverfronts are essential to the region and belong to everyone. “Twenty years after creating the first public vision for the redevelopment of the riverfronts, Riverlife has taken stock of what has been done, what needs to be done to address the remaining gaps, and how to improve the experience so that it is enjoyed by all,” says Matthew Galluzzo, President and CEO for Riverlife, “Completing the Loop is a uniquely Pittsburgh approach that hinges on the broad-based partnerships that we cultivate, especially with community members and property owners.”
The plan prioritizes access for neighborhoods that have been disconnected by infrastructure such as highways and railroads and proposes a system of equitably located facilities, services, and amenities. “As cities are reimagining waterfronts as public spaces, Completing the Loop as a process and a report exemplify inventive, data-driven placemaking concepts centered around environmental and social justice” says LaShawn Burton-Faulk, Executive Director for Manchester Citizens Corporation and board member for Riverlife.
Completing the Loop’s Technical Assessment outlines key steps for the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Confluence “River Rooms” and identifies partners, projects, timelines, and issues critical to completion. A customized scorecard rates progress for the Loop’s 25 segments and recommends how to improve each segment’s score, which rates Connectivity, Places, Maintenance, Ecology, and Experience.
The Plan is publicly available at https://evolveea.com/riverlife/. Completing the Loop is made possible with funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR) and the Henry L. Hillman Foundation.