NBBJ

Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation

Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation
© Ed Massery

MASCARO CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION

Edge Studio, Nbbj

PHOTOGRAPHS
Ed Massery

LOCATION
United States

CATEGORYTY
University

YEAR
2010

AREA
22000.0 ft2

Text description provided by architect.

The University of Pittsburgh decided to expand and renovate Benedum Hall, the 1960's home for the Swanson School of Engineering on Pitt's main campus in Oakland.

Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation
© Ed Massery
Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation
© Ed Massery

The original limestone clad modernist tower and disconnected auditorium buildings had become obsolete, as the school's focus shifted to the 21st century disciplines of nanotechnology, bioengineering, and materials research.

As a result, EDGE Studio and Nbbj have designed a more flexible facility that is advantageous to inter-departmental cooperation, and helps attract the best and brightest research faculty and students from around the world.

Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation
© Ed Massery
Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation
© Ed Massery

The project has two segments: a 22,000 square foot addition to house the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation, and a full renovation in phases of the existing buildings, including full upgrades to all mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and life safety systems.

The project started with an extensive master planning and programming phase, with the often conflicting needs and desires of over 70 research faculty and administrators.

Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation
© Ed Massery
Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation
© Ed Massery

Both the addition and renovations were completed while the building remained fully occupied and functional, making the planning, move management, and construction management a significant challenge

The addition, housing the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation, forms a raised link on the site's north side between the original tower and auditorium. A poured-in-place concrete structure carefully threads its way through the existing basement and subbasement lab spaces below, expressed by the large sloped piers supporting the building over O'Hara Street.

The metal panel and curtain-wall-clad addition contains computer labs, conference spaces, and administrative spaces, which acts as a laboratory for cross disciplinary research into sustainable building and product design.

Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation
© Ed Massery
Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation
© Ed Massery

It also contains a new four story open stair hall, linking the three buildings of the assembly, forming a new entry down to the original building's basement which has been opened up to house a new Teaching / Learning Center.

The project achieved LEED Gold Certification. However, the most important sustainable characteristic is the work that goes on inside, researching into water use, energy use, building construction systems, and collaborations with sustainable technology industries.

Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation
© Ed Massery


Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation
Elevation


Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation
Section


Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation
Lower Plaza Level Plan
Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation
plaza level plan
Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation
Second Level Plan
Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation
Third Level Plan

NBBJ
T +1 206 2235555
NBBJ
223 Yale Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, United States