The jury awards a Design Citation of Merit for the restoration of the Detective Building, a prominent example of New Formalist architecture in Pittsburgh, PA, designed by Larson & Ludwig for the American Automobile Association in 1972. Sited within the East Liberty neighborhood, where a failed urban renewal project of the 1960s displaced residents and disconnected the street grid, the project team focused on creating a pedestrian-friendly plaza with green space, increased tree cover, a raingarden, bike parking, and precast concrete planters original to the building. For the building itself, much of the original materials and finishes were salvaged through reuse and repair. The existing steel frame was maintained, and exposed, precast façade panels were cleaned and repaired, existing concrete floors were polished and sealed, and envelope and energy efficiency improvements were incorporated. Once on the cusp of demolition, this 37,000 sq. ft. building is now an anchor of the neighborhood block.

Brian Faherty, Schoolhouse Electric

mossArchitects Team: Andrew Moss, David Teufel, Anna Foster, Arthur Notaro, Eric Overmyer, Alyssa Hamilton 
 
Consultants: Joseph Nelson, Nelcon Inc. (General Contractor); David Kuretich, Tower Engineering (MEP Engineer); Andrew Verrengia, Atlantic Engineering Services (Structural Engineer); Ben Hunter, Langan (Civil Engineer); Owen Gabbert, LLC (Owner’s Representative)