There is growing recognition of the importance of good design in the region and the important effects of the built environment in society.  This was a record-breaking year for Design Pittsburgh and there is only more to come. Design Pittsburgh Numbers: 470 Attendees (most ever!) 93 Project Submissions 23 Awards Given 4,139 People’s Choice Award Votes (512 more than last year and most ever!) Media Coverage: (We’ll post more here as it is published) Pittsburgh Post-Gazette “Presley’s Place wins People’s Choice Award at architects’ gala” NEXTpittsburgh “Check out the winners of this year’s AIA Design Pittsburgh Awards”

Name: Lee Davis, AIA Firm: ESa Family: Wife – Julie; Daughter – Simms Years in practice: 15 Education: Bach of Arch from University of Tennessee Knoxville Your first job: Domino’s Pizza Delivery…until my parent’s car insurance carrier caught wise Project you’re proudest of: Gulch Crossing Office Building – Relocating our firm after 30+ years was a painful endeavour, but a rewarding conclusion What have you always wanted to tell your clients? “That’s a terrible idea.” What’s the most annoying thing architects do? In spite of wearing goofy, outlandish glasses, I’m going to have to say “wearing goofy, outlandish glasses”. Favorite tool (can be digital, drafting, physical,…): Litter Picker Arm Grabber Favorite building: Case Study House 22 Favorite outdoor space: Capitoline Hill Architect you’d like to have a drink with: Mies van de Rohe Best gift...

As part of the People’s Choice Award voting this year (over 3,415 online votes), we asked each person to tell us why they voted for their selection.  We received over 1,400 comments and we read every single one!  Here we have a selection of the projects that received the most comments from the general public, the people who use and see the buildings every day. Zerega Residence Addition and Renovations Client: Megan and Todd Zerega Architecture Firm: qkArchitecture Contractor: Jimmy Johns Construction, LLC Photographer: Luke Mawhinney Landscape Architect: Gwen Wisniewski Landscape and Garden Design, LLC Everything was perfect, except for the house. Our clients sought our services as the housing stock in their most desired neighborhood was turning up limited options in their search...

DESIGN + INNOVATION: Certificate of Merit PROJECT NAME: Penn51 Façade CLIENT: 11 to 3 LLC ARCHITECTURE FIRM: mossArchitects DESIGN TEAM: Andrew Moss, AIA; Darren Lloyd, Rebecca Murden ENGINEERS: Conway Engineering CONTRACTORS: P2 Contracting, LLC PHOTOGRAPHERS: Anthony Musmanno INTENT: The Penn51 project, one of many 1-3 story building facades along the Bloomfield and Garfield commercial corridor, is nestled in the center of the Penn Avenue business district; an area that has been the focus of revitalization, with a strong emphasis on the arts. The design solution seeks to reinterpret the facade as a folded skin that simplifies and unifies its previously disconnected property while adding an artful reinterpretation and visual activity to the busy commercial avenue. The design aims to connect...

Interior of BRGR Downtown Pittsburgh at 535 Liberty Avenue.  Photo by Candidly Yours Photography With James Beard award nominations growing each year and a solid standing on Bon Appetit’s Best New Restaurants list several years in a row, there is no doubt Pittsburgh’s food scene has greatly improved over the last decade.  This has meant more opportunities for architects to leave their mark on Pittsburgh’s food renaissance.  Restaurant (and brewery) design is not simple.  This year’s Design Pittsburgh submissions show us how important good design can be for a restaurant.  To see this year’s exhibit and vote for your favorite entry click here. American Natural Harmar Energy Centre Address: 2 Rich Hill Road, Cheswick, PA 15024 Client: Cleopatra Resources, LLC Architecture Firm: DLA+ Architecture & Interior...

Young Architects Forum members at an informal “Salotto” The Young Architects Studio Competition (YASC) is a special competition within AIA Pittsburgh’s Design Awards. Currently in its 8th edition, Nick Doichev, AIA established the competition in 2010 as an opportunity to recognize the talent of emerging professionals (defined as still studying or a maximum of ten years out of school). In years past, much creativity has been showcased, but the 2017 edition is particularly special. For the first time, the Young Architects Forum (YAF) has come up with a theme for the come up with a theme for the competition based on a discussion of Pittsburgh’s needs. In spring 2017 YAF held a series of meetings, informally called “Salottos” – an...

Name: Nathan Johnson, AIA, LEED AP Firm: 4RM+ULA Family: Married, 4 kids Years in practice: 18 Education: Cornell University Bachelor of Architecture, 1998 Your first job: Women’s Club bus boy. What’s the best part of your job? Different every day. What would you change about your job? More time. Project you’re proudest of: Rondo Commemorative Plaza (on the boards) Most embarrassing moment: At 5 years old taking family picture in Tuscon Arizona, I backed into a cactus, and did not tell my mom for hours that I had a cactus needle stuck in me.  Whenever my Mom wants a good laugh she tells the story. Favorite tool (can be digital, drafting, physical,…): Microsoft Surfacebook Architect you’d like to have a...

ARCHITECTURE: Honor Award PROJECT NAME: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Knoxville Branch CLIENT: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh ARCHITECTURE FIRM: GBBN Architects DESIGN TEAM: Anne Chen, AIA; Amanda Markovic; Julian Sandoval ENGINEERS: Sci-Tek Consultants, Inc.; WBCM; WNA Engineering, Inc. CONTRACTORS: Shannon Construction Co. PHOTOGRAPHERS: Massery Photography, Inc. DESCRIPTION: Formally described as a bunker, this project transforms a brutalist 1962 building into an inviting destination for a diverse community. The deeply recessed entrances were moved forward to provide ample glazing that facilitates views to the street and daylight to the interior. Small additions at the front and side of the original building maximize the interior plan, providing a dedicated area for teens and expanded children’s area with an outdoor deck. JURY COMMENTS: With...

Name: Bill Baxley, AIA Firm: Leo A Daly Family: Wife – Laura; 2 children – Sam and Amelia Years in practice: 28 Education: Syracuse University Your first job: A Paper Route in Orangeburg, SC Project you’re proudest of: Two Popes Film – A three-room office production space in a former bottling building…. shoestring budget + demanding client = amazing space. What have you always wanted to tell your clients? ‘Trust me.” What’s the most annoying thing architects do? Wear black. Favorite tool (can be digital, drafting, physical,…): Paper Mate Flair pen, medium black. Favorite building: Salk Institute Favorite outdoor space: High Line Architect you’d like to have a drink with: Buckminster Fuller Best gift to give an architect: More time....

Each year, the month of October features AIA Pittsburgh’s celebration of architecture and design and those who create it. It is once again time for Design Pittsburgh, our annual design competition, exhibit, gala, and awards ceremony. We are also exhibiting the winning photographs from the AIA Pittsburgh / Steel City Grammers Instagram Competition in conjunction with this year’s Young Architects Studio Competition. Looking for a way to reconnect with the architecture community? This is a great time to experience over 90 projects, meet up with other architects, and get inspired! Design Pittsburgh People’s Choice Award – Brought to you by Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc., the online exhibit of Design Pittsburgh submissions is available for viewing and we need your...