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The Terrace Street entrance to Alan Magee Scaife Hall was dark and confronted visitors with a maze of narrow and outdated escalators.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Studio on a multiphase project to redefine the building’s entrance, bring more daylight into the lobby, eliminate the outdated escalators, and create a welcoming gathering space.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 café 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

Icon: completion-date

2019

Completion Date
Icon: building-size

8K

Project Size
Icon: 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
Associate Principal

Additional Projects

Mid-Atlantic

Houston Elementary School

The District of Columbia Public Schools needed to modernize and expand Charles H. Houston Elementary School. SGH consulted on the enclosure, including new and existing systems.
Explore
Mid-Atlantic

Clarksville Middle School

After completing a comprehensive interior renovation in 2006, the school district became concerned about apparent brick masonry deterioration and SGH conducted a condition assessment of the exterior walls to determine the cause and effects of the masonry deterioration.
Explore