2008
AWARD WINNERS:
Architecture

Silver Medal
Meadowcroft Rockshelter
Client: Historical
Society of Western Pennsylvania
Architect: Pfaffmann + Associates PC
Contractor: F.J. Busse Company, Inc.
Jury comments: The structure is very
well fitted into a sensitive site. It builds a sense of reverence
for the site through the architecture. Great architecture
is about detailing and putting materials together; this project
is beautifully detailed and we applaud the sense of craft.
The structure skillfully recreates the sense of a cave without
being too literal. The use of wood warms up the cave and gives
it life. There is an honesty to the project - it is not a
'Disney' experience.

Honor Award
Thomas M. Siebel Center for Computer Science
Client: University
of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Architect: Bohlin Cywinski Jackson / LZT/Larson Darby
Group
Contractor: Turner Construction Company
Jury comments: The architect very successfully
breaks down the scale of this large building. There is a sense
of finesse to the detailing. The interior spaces successfully
juxtapose different materials like steel and copper. There
is a skillful use of daylight to bring the space to light.
The building has a very modern side and a very traditional
side that are brilliantly juxtaposed. This project was the
most accomplished large scale building the jury saw in all
of the submissions.

Honor Award
The Excavation of Mellon Hall
Client: Chatham
University
Architect: Rothschild Doyno Collaborative
Contractor: Mosites Construction Company
Jury comments: This is a beautiful restoration
of an existing space. The architect made the space come to
life. Unearthing the pool was a great concept and then the
architect took it even a step further by using and respecting
the original architecture, which they uncovered. They did
an exquisite job of adding new elegant details, such as windows
and doors, which are in the spirit of the old building but
beautiful in the world of today. The level of craftsmanship
on these newly inserted pieces is extraordinary. The architects
practiced great restraint and left the building real. The
result is a gem of a building for this campus.

Honor Award
Live/Work Studio II
Client: Gerard
Damiani & Debbie Battistone
Architect: studio d'ARC architects, P.C.
Contractor: Smith Construction
Jury comments: We appreciated the way
the architect mirrored the scale of the street but introduced
a very contemporary building - it is a very approachable project.
This house does an excellent job of addressing the street
and is responsible to the backyard as well. The architect
was skillful in getting light into all the spaces even though
this is a very light-restricted site. The quality of the detailing
of the materials is impressive. The project used a beautiful,
elegant, and simple palette of materials and reduced them
down to the essence of their beauty.

Certificate of Merit & Green Design Citation
928 South Aiken Avenue
Client: Mary and Eric Fisher
Architect: FISHER ARCHitecture
Contractor: FISHER ARCHitecture
Jury comments: The architect was skillful
in evolving the house from its unusual site. The jury liked
the sculptural juxtaposition of the different volumes which
creates interest and excitement. The green roof is very neighbor-friendly
and the house is modest in size, scale, and execution. The
South Aiken House is an eloquent demonstration of sustainability,
the creative use of an unbuildable site, and sensitive siting
which maximizes passive opportunities and shows that less
really is more. This is an example of good urban infill done
in an interesting way. The structural dynamics are very expressive
in this small house.

Certificate of Merit & Green Design Citation
Powdermill Nature Reserve
Client: Carnegie
Museum of Natural History
Architect: Pfaffmann + Associates PC
Contractor: Cavcon Construction
Jury comments: We appreciated the integration
of the materials with the landscape. The architect successfully
connected the indoor and outdoor spaces. The materials used
are respectful of the existing building while used appropriately
to express new forms. The architect pushed the envelope of
green by using straw bale and by adding a living machine.
The interior spaces are exciting and delicate. The architect
maximized the excitement by using very simple materials.

Certificate of Merit
Sarah Heinz House
Client: Sarah
Heinz House
Architect: Rothschild
Doyno Collaborative / William McDonough + Partners
Contractor: Dick Corporation
Jury comments: The
jury liked the way the architect brought in the natural light
to the building. The architect used sunlight to energize the
function of the building. The jury also appreciated how this
project energizes a whole neighborhood. By letting the neighborhood
see what was happening inside the space, the barriers that
kept the community away were broken down. The jury liked the
materials used in the interior spaces, which were done in
a sophisticated way. The spaces are sturdy and durable as
they should be but are treated with care and sensitivity and
are well detailed.
Regional and Urban Design

Honor Award
Eastside Phase 2 Master Plan
Client: The
Mosites Company
Architect: The Design Alliance Architects
Contractor: Mosites Construction Company
Jury Comments: The buildings have a street-front
presence. With this project, the architect achieved a strong
connection with the street, creating much more of an urban
experience. We liked both the architecture of the project
and the urban design. The architect achieved excellence on
several different levels, especially the nice change in scale
of the buildings.
Interior
Architecture

Honor Award
Light Loft
Client: Client
Name Withheld
Architect: FortyEighty Architecture
Contractor: Cummings Construction
Jury Comments: This project has a great
energy and spirit. The stair is very elegant. This loft has
a nice, simple plan that has been well executed; the architect
maximized the daylight giving the space a very open and airy
feel. The well-executed details - including the use of color
and planes - demonstrate the care the architect took to make
this project really sing.

Certificate of Merit
Richard Chen Pittsburgh
Client: Richard Chen Pittsburgh
Architect: EDGE studio
Contractor: J. Palumbo Contracting
Jury Comments: We like the quality of
materials in the finishes and appreciate the detailing in
the project. The simplicity of the floor plan stands out in
particular, as well as how the one and two story volumes work
well together.
Architectural Detail/Craftmanship
Award of Excellence
Carnegie Mellon University Digital Fabrication Lab
Client: Carnegie
Mellon University School of Architecture
Architect: Ficca Architecture / EDGE studio
Contractor: Robert & Brian Zwergel General Contractor
Jury Comments: We applaud the involvement
of the architecture students in developing the design. The
architect illustrated the technology that is available in
the lab itself through the forming of the material used for
the finishes to create the aesthetic. The final design transformed
the materials and gave them a new life by using the thickness
of the material in addition to the normal planar use of plywood.
The project demonstrates an ingenious use of lighting.
Open
Plan

Award of Excellence
Center
for Informatics
Client:
Northern
Kentucky University
Architect: Burt Hill
Jury Comments: We liked the plan for
this project. It shows lots of ambition and it will be interesting
to see if it gets built.

Award
of Excellence
West End Pedestrian Bridge
Client:
Riverlife Taskforce
Architect: Endres Ware
Jury Comments: This is a very elegant
addition to an old bridge.

Award of Excellence
Park City House Addition
- Monocular Sleeve
Client:
Steve and Cindy Marteney
Architect: Ficca Architecture
Jury Comments: We were intrigued by the
presentation. The images are beautiful. The award is being
given for presentation, which is how architects communicate
their intent.
Landscape
Architecture

Certificate of Merit
PNC Firstside Park
Client:
PNC Realty Services
Architect: Astorino
Contractor: P.J. Dick Incorporated
Jury Comments: We commend the client
who created this park for the city. We liked the organic form
of the park and think it will be interesting to see how it
grows and changes. The park visually extends the open space
of the river back into the city. It provides an interesting
view from above and engages pedestrians on the street level.
Columbia Gas People's Choice Award

Animal Friends: Water Garden & Sculpture
Client: Animal
Friends
Architect: David J. Roth, AIA with artist Hugh Watkins
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