Member & Partner Updates  AE Works, a Pittsburgh-headquartered building design and consulting services firm, is excited to announce the appointment of Patrick Rakszawski, AIA to the role of Design Manager. Patrick brings experience on a diverse range of commercial, healthcare and science and technology projects spanning international corporate headquarters, research laboratories and highly unique spinal cord injury care facilities.   Margittai Architects is excited to welcome Allison Huchko as a Graduate Architect. Allison graduated with highest honors and earned a B.S. and Master’s of Architecture degree with a focus in Urban Design from Kent State University. She is a LEED Accredited Professional and is a member of the Association for Preservation Technology. LGA Partners is pleased to announce the hiring of Gerard Schmidt, RA,...

Member & Partner Updates    Matthew Dawson, AIA, Architect at Hayes Design Group Architects, recently obtained his professional architect’s license and is now licensed to practice architecture in Pennsylvania.  Matt is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University with a Bachelors of Architecture.   Allen & Shariff Engineering, LLC is pleased to announce that Alexander Radkoff, PE has joined the Pittsburgh Office, as a Mechanical Engineer. Allen & Shariff Engineering, LLC 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, and Salisbury, MD.   Allen & Shariff Engineering, LLC is pleased to announce that Sean Daugherty has joined the Pittsburgh Office, as an Electrical Designer. Allen & Shariff Engineering, LLC is...

evolveEA has named Anna Rosenblum, Chris Guignon, AIA, and Elijah Hughes as Associates and Senior Project Managers. Founding Principals Christine Mondor, FAIA and Marc Mondor, AIA are pleased to recognize these outstanding employees, for their significant and far-sighted contributions to projects, client management, strategic direction and firm culture. As Associates, Anna, Chris, and Elijah will continue to advance evolveEA’s strategic consulting work in architecture and landscape design, mobility and water infrastructure, energy and community systems, and ecodistrict planning. Read more about their accomplishments and contribution to architecture here.   In February, team members of DLA + Architecture & Interior Design, attended the American Heart Association Heart Ball to support medical advancements related to heart disease and stroke.   Anthony Pitassi,...

X-ray Architecture.  Book by Beatriz Colomina.  Imprint: Lars Müller Publishers There’s plenty of good reads out there to get us through these trying times. Still, if you don’t have the energy right now to try and decide what to read we’ve rounded up a few of our current favorites.  We hope these will inspire, distract, and maybe even give a new perspective on the current state of affairs. Breaking Ground: Architecture by Women.  Book by Jane Hall.  Imprint: Phaidon Press Publisher’s Description: A ground-breaking visual survey of architecture designed by women from the early twentieth century to the present day. “Would they still call me a diva if I were a man?’ asked Zaha Hadid, challenging as she did so more than a...

The built environment is not neutral. It either enables progress or obstructs it; contributes to wellbeing or disturbs it. Our region is experiencing the most development it has seen in decades with buildings that will be around for the next 40 to 120 years. Because development impacts people in our community today and for years to come, there is an urgency to be thoughtful and informed about what we are cementing into new places and spaces. And yet, we as a society and a region do not talk about how buildings impact human wellbeing. Blueprint for Better: Pittsburgh (B4B) was developed to change that, and we are looking for more people (i.e. architects, designers of all kinds, neuroscientists, sociologists, EDAC...

Every year AIA holds a national gathering for Chapter and Component leaders – the Grassroots Leadership Conference. This year, four AIA Pittsburgh members and one staff attended the event, held February 18-20 in New Orleans. This year’s agenda emphasized an increased commitment to sustainability, equity and civic leadership. Asserting a leadership role President-Elect, Peter Exley, FAIA acknowledged the implications of being in New Orleans, a city that became synonymous with a new normal of more extreme and more frequent storms driven by climate changes. “This is our leadership moment, and it comes with the most important deadline of our careers.” Exley highlighted four ways architects can lead: Mitigating GHG sources and owning the footprint buildings have in cities/ regions Adapting...

Congratulations to Lena Andrews, AICP, for her new role of Director of Real Estate Development at  ACTION-Housing. Lena joined the AIA Pittsburgh Board of Directors in 2020 as a Public Director. Congratulations to Ernest Bellamy, Assoc. AIA, of Ae7, for his new role of Adjunct Professor at the University of Pittsburgh. Ernest will be co-teaching an introductory architecture studio course. Anthony J. Lucarelli, AIA, has joined Pittsburgh-based DLA+ Architecture and Interior Design (DLA+) as vice president, Higher Education.  Lucarelli, a veteran expert in architecture for higher education who brings significant expertise and a national perspective to DLA+, will also oversee the firm’s marketing and business development initiatives. Congratulations to Anastasia Markiw, AIA, NCARB, of DesignGroup, on becoming the 2020 Chair...

Lina Bo Bardi, L’ombra della sera, 1965 Lina Bo Bardi was a vivid, new name to me prior to exploring the phenomenal exhibit brought to the Carnegie Museum of Art by the Heinz Architectural Center. Learning about her and her impressive oeuvre, however, imparted upon me a sense of awe and gratitude. The sheer span and depth of her portfolio is stunning, all saturated with color and conceptually vibrant. She was a true Renaissance designer and her work feels effortless and radiant, regardless of subject: from stage sets to chairs, to buildings. The collection, beautifully curated by Zeuler R. Lima, unfolds with such tenderness and attention to detail, that each showcased piece feels valued – by curator, and by creator. Influenced by...

Surrounded by family, friends, and faith, Elmer Burger, AIA passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2019. Elmer attended Carnegie Mellon University and received his BFA and BArch from the Rhode Island School of Design. He was employed by several architecture firms in Boston, Washington D.C., and Pittsburgh during his career. He retired as the University Architect/Planner of Point Park University in 2018. Elmer served as President of AIA Pennsylvania in 2008, was previously on the AIA Pittsburgh Board of Directors, was an active member of the Master Builders Association, and was often invited to be a guest critique at Carnegie Mellon University. His notable works include the Camp Kon-O-Kwee dining hall, PNC First Side, UPMC Hospital Palermo, the Masonic Temple...