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