Pittsburgh, PA

Alan Magee Scaife Hall Lobby Renovation

Scope/Solutions

The Terrace Street entrance to Alan Magee Scaife Hall was dark and confronted visitors with a maze of narrow and outdated escalators. The existing lobby offered limited seating and wayfinding information. Beginning in 2014, SGH collaborated with Payette and Moshier Studio on a multiphase project to redefine the building’s entrance, bring more daylight into the lobby, eliminate the outdated escalators, and create a welcoming gathering space.

SGH served as the structural engineer of record for the lobby renovation project, which was the first of several planned renovations efforts. Highlights of the design include:

  • A glass-enclosed lobby at the street level, constructed on the original elevated plaza
  • A glass-enclosed cafĂ© cantilevering over the original entrance with perforated aluminum sun shades
  • Accessible ramps and planters between Terrace Street and the entrance
  • Communicating stairs replacing the antiquated escalators
  • Glass guards around modified stair openings
  • Building information displays

Project Summary

completion-date

2019

Completion Date
building-size

8K

Project Size
award-winner

Award

Winner
Solutions
Repair & Rehabilitation
Services
Structures
Markets
Education
Client(s)
Payette | Moshier Studio
Specialized Capabilities
Repair & Strengthening

Key team members

Alec Zimmer
Alec Zimmer
Associate Principal
Pedro Sifre
Pedro Sifre
Senior Principal