Highlighting the best of Pittsburgh’s architectural scene, this year’s Design Pittsburgh celebration marks its 125th anniversary. In honor of the occasion, the Design Pittsburgh Awards Ceremony, hosted by the Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), will be transformed into an extraordinary Beaux-Arts Ball.
The Design Awards Gala kicks off at 5:30pm on Friday, November 8th the Carnegie Museum Music Hall. The event celebrates design excellence through the years. It also features the announcement of the architectural design competition award winners, as well as a design exhibition.
In order to be considered for an award, the architectural designs must include sustainability as part of the project. Among the ten sustainability areas considered are conservation and improvement of water quality, designing for equitable communities, design that reduces energy use and dependence on fossil fuels, design that uses green and healthy materials, design for human well-being, and also structural resilience.
The night’s awards include:
- The juried Design Awards competition, given for excellence in architectural and urban design
- The Young Architects Studio Competition where students, young architects, and emerging design professionals were challenged to design a circulation path that links a higher elevation point to a lower one, addressing Pittsburgh’s unique confluence of topography, urbanism, and architecture
- The coveted People’s Choice Award chosen by the public at large as they considered: “Does the project inspire you? Would you enjoy spending time in that space? How does the project enhance or serve our community?”
- The premiere of a new award, the Excellence in Masonry Award, for best use of architectural masonry
- The Social Impact Awards, about the many ways in which architecture also has a social impact
- The ‘Benno’, a Lifetime Impact Award
After this year’s award winners are recognized, the night will then end with the Beaux-Arts Ball from 7pm – 10pm. Guests will be treated to food and drink, dancing, a silent auction, and more!
Attendees will have the opportunity to look at the past and also consider the future of architectural design in our region. Enjoy an unforgettable night showcasing Pittsburgh’s rich history of skilled architects. Delight in pondering what our region’s architecture may look like in another 125 years.
“Design Pittsburgh gives the public a chance to gain a new perspective into our built environment,” said Michelle Fanzo, Executive Director of AIA Pittsburgh. “We invite people to look deeper than the facades or house fronts, into how the buildings work and make them feel.”
To learn more and purchase tickets, visit the Design Pittsburgh website!
This content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.
