BIG Reshapes Pittsburgh with Master Plan for Lower Hill District

Master Plan for Lower Hill District
Master Plan for Lower Hill District
Image © Bjarke Ingels Group

BIG + West 8 + Atelier Ten’s vision for a new master plan in Pittsburgh covers 28 acres, including 1,200 units of housing as well as 1+million sq ft of retail and commerce  providing accessibility across Pittsburgh’s unique topography and creating a vibrant new open space for the city’s residents to enjoy.

Master Plan for Lower Hill District
Image © Bjarke Ingels Group

The Penguins and McCormack Baron Salazar hired BIG to design the residences and public spaces at the 28-acre Lower Hill District of Pittsburgh. Building upon the city’s efforts from the past decade, BIG’s proposal redevelops the public space around the former Civic Arena, including a public space across from Consol Energy Center, and connects the property to Downtown, Uptown and the rest of the Hill District.

Master Plan for Lower Hill District
Image © Bjarke Ingels Group

“BIG’s master plan seeks to become a catalyst for future investment into the Hill District, moving beyond the standard sustainability solutions and reversing a tendency to vacate, and instead to refocus and reinvest into building a strong community.” Kai-Uwe Bergmann, Partner, BIG.

Master Plan for Lower Hill District
Image © Bjarke Ingels Group

BIG envisions a multifunctional and revitalized neighborhood that is centered along a meandering public realm that serves to connect the Hill District back to its downtown core. The proposal combines individual buildings with a variety of functions bounded by a network of accessible paths and triangular plazas. The terraced sloping roofs and varying building volumes take advantage of the steep slope that is so unique to Pittsburgh and provides the neighborhood its distinct qualities of incredible views, daylight  and generous terraces.

Master Plan for Lower Hill District
Image © Bjarke Ingels Group

The public realm designed by West 8, is punctuated by granite outcroppings that are inspired by the regions Allegheny landscape and follows a daylit storm system that encourages discovery and play. The street pattern and crosswalks are designed for an active public life and an efficient flow of pedestrians, bikes, public transportation and cars that are all possible through the weaving pattern of pedestrian pathways.

Master Plan for Lower Hill District
Image © Bjarke Ingels Group

The terraced roofscapes in the residential areas ensure that residents can access outdoor areas to enjoy the views and to also encourage a sense of community among its  neighbors. Atelier Ten has developed a set of comprehensive sustainable goals that consider district scaled heating and cooling opportunities, retaining all rainwater on the site  and utilizing it for irrigation of the public space. Source by Bjarke Ingels Group.

Master Plan for Lower Hill District
Image © Bjarke Ingels Group

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Architects: Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG)
Partner-In-Charge: Kai-Uwe Bergmann, Daniel Sundlin, Bjarke Ingels
Project Leader: Jelena Vucic
Project Manager: Simon David
Project Team: Cheyenne Vandevoorde, Marcus Kujala, Nicolas Gustin, Ibrahim Salman, Terrence Chew, Peter Lee, Lasse Kristensen, Thomas Christoffersen
Collaborators: West 8 – Landscape Architecture, Atelier Ten
Architecture: Graves Design Group
Landscape Architecture: La Quatra Bonci Associates
Urban Planning/Public Liason: Mongalo-Winston Consulting
Civil: Michael Baker International
Construction Feasibility: Sota Construction Services
Contractor: Massaro
Client: MBS – McCormack Baron Salazar ; PAR – Pittsburgh Arena Real Estate Redevelopment
Size: 28 Acres (ca. 1,200,000+ sqft residential ca. 1,250,000+ sqft office + retail +hotel)
Cost: $500+ Million USD estimated development costs
Project Start Date: 2016
Status: Concept / Commission
Images: Courtesy of Bjarke Ingels Group

Master Plan for Lower Hill District
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Master Plan for Lower Hill District
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Master Plan for Lower Hill District
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Master Plan for Lower Hill District
Diagram
Master Plan for Lower Hill District
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Master Plan for Lower Hill District
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