Mascaro Center, 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. 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.
Photography: 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. 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.
Photography: Ed Massery
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-i...