Can you name 28 architects? The average young to intermediate architecture professional probably could not. Though 28 is an arbitrary number, I am using it as a unit of measure as there are 28 days in the month of February, also known as African-American History Month. I have created a series, #28BlackArchitectsIn28Days, with the intent to identify 28 African-American architects, one for each day. The series covers historic firsts, such as Dr. Robert Robinson Taylor, the first registered African-American Architect, and present-day game changers, such as Saundra Little, AIA, founding principal of Centric Design Studio in Detroit, Michigan and AIA Detroit’s Chapter Director, also known as an “Eco-Architect.” (It should be noted that both of the terms “Black” and “African-American”...

As an architect, walking down a city street is likely a very engaging activity. You are surrounded by buildings, by someone else’s designs, by materials and techniques, angles and choices. Would you have created a similar streetscape? What do you think of a given skyline? The built world is all around us, and you are uniquely aware of it. But what does your spouse see walking down the street, or your child? How would your neighbors or friends view that house or skyscraper or building complex? What do they see when they look up? The AIA has launched a national public awareness campaign asking just that. The “Look Up” campaign has been developed to reach out to communities everywhere, helping...

At the end of each year, AIA Pittsburgh brings together members of the architectural community to celebrate the holidays, welcome the incoming Chapter president, and congratulate the young professionals who have successfully completed the A.R.E. to become registered architects. This year, the President’s Holiday Party was held at the award-winning office of NEXT Architecture and sponsored by SOTA Construction Services, Inc. 2014 president Jen Bee, AIA ‘crowned’ 2015 president Alan Schlossberg, AIA with the ceremonial passing of the wig. Additionally, two awards were presented. First, the AIA Pittsburgh President’s Award – given to someone who personifies the ‘citizen architect’ – was presented to Katie Walsh, AIA, who continuously gives back within her firm and community. She was the 2014 chair...

Name: Alan Schlossberg, AIA, LEED AP Firm: Perkins Eastman Family: Wife Loretta, daughters Sarah (age 16) and Anna (age 14), dog Bruce (age 3, people years) Years in practice: 27 (February will be my 20th anniversary with PE) Education: Master of Architecture, Carnegie Mellon University; Bachelor of Fine Arts, Theatre, Carnegie Mellon University Your first job: Stock boy, frozen food aisle, Waldbaums supermarket, Long Island, NY. Always dress warm! Favorite building: Any school. Schools hold the potential to shape the people who create our future. Favorite outdoor space: Bryant Park, NY – perfect balance of formality and respite in an urban greenspace. Favorite indoor space: Grand Central Terminal, NY …the ultimate city arrival experience. Favorite city: New York. What’s the...

Throughout the history of Columns (in print and online) AIA Pittsburgh has documented the issues surrounding riverfront reiteration and development. AIA members have played important roles in the work and have served to foster public understanding of the importance of our riverfronts. Here are some highlights from our coverage over the years. UNEXPLOITED OPPORTUNITY “Pittsburgh is a water city…. Anyone would think we loved our rivers. Yet I can think of few cities which treat their waterfronts with less respect than we do…. Look at the river banks. Discover an essay in neglect and unexploited opportunity…” The year is 1990, and David Lewis, FAIA has a lot to say about the state of Pittsburgh’s riverfronts. He is rightfully appalled at...

Name: Christian James Hughes, Assoc. AIA Firm: Michael Baker International, LLC.; Carnegie Mellon University, Architecture Explorations; Affiliate, The Kingsley Association (Larimer); Affiliate, Green Building Alliance – The Green and Healthy Schools Academy Family: Single, oldest of 4. From Detroit, which is where my immediate family lives. My extended family is divided between North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Maryland, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. Years in practice: 3 (including scattered summer internships) Education: Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia – Master of Architecture, May 2014; Carnegie Mellon University, UDream Fellow (Urban Design Regional Employment Action for Minorities) – June – September, 2014 Your first job: Family Dollar Stores What’s the best part of your job? Learning. Learning the tricks of the trade at Michael Baker International....

I have participated in the AIA at varying levels over the years. I was previously an editor for the National Associates Committee AssociateNews publication, and I was secretary of AIA Pittsburgh’s YAF. I first became the AIA PA Associate Director in December 2012 and have learned so much about fiscal responsibility via serving on the state board of directors. Annual participation at Grassroots (the AIA lobbying and leadership conference), National Convention, and the Large States Conference have all been opportunities to learn from and share ideas with our colleagues across the nation. I have also participated on the state communications committee as well as on the awards committee. I believe that participation in the AIA has been a means of...

AE Works Ltd. (AE Works) has been certified as a B Corporation, making it the sixth company in Pittsburgh to achieve B Corp status. As a Certified B Corporation, AE Works voluntarily meets a higher standard of transparency, accountability, and performance, harnessing the power of business to solve social and economic problems. AE Works’ full B Impact Report is available to the public here. Astorino has utilized its design-led, integrated design-build delivery method to design and construct the new Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Health + Wellness Pavilion in Wexford, which opened earlier this fall. The 174,000 sf mixed-use medical facility followed an extremely compressed design and construction schedule of just 22 months – an achievement that would have been nearly unattainable...

Charles Jencks stands at the podium, tall and lanky but defiantly confident. A well-packed Carnegie Music Hall applauds the world-renowned landscape architect and architectural theorist as he pipes out a few initial thoughts to calm the diverse crowd. After a brief description of a 16th century painting on the screen above his head depicting hope on the horizons, Jencks jumps straight into what has propelled him into the international spotlight; Maggie’s Centres. Before even giving an overall synopsis of what his famed centers are, Jencks makes sure to tell the audience what inspired them: hope. He explains that hope is an architect’s best tool when creating any built environment; buildings are trajectories into the future – a horizon and a...

ARCHITECTURE: Honor Award
 PROJECT: Graduate School of Public Health 
CLIENT: University of Pittsburgh ARCHITECTURE FIRM: Joint Venture: Renaissance 3 Architects, P.C. and Wilson Architects CONTRACTOR: PJ Dick 
ENGINEERS: Affiliated Engineers Metro DC, Inc.; Barber & Hoffman, Inc.; The Gateway Engineers, Inc. PHOTOGRAPHER: Anton Grassl of Esto Photographics DESCRIPTION: The Graduate School of Public Health is located on a main thoroughfare that runs the length of the University of Pittsburgh’s urban campus. The University sought a building that would establish a real presence for GSPH in the community and reflect the significant research occurring within. By designing an elevated addition with extensive glass facades, the building showcases the school’s activities along the main avenue; the transparent facades eliminate barriers between the...