Pittsburgh, PA
Alan Magee Scaife Hall Lobby Renovation
Scope/Solutions
The Terrace Street entrance to Alan Magee Scaife Hall was dark and confronted visitors with a maze of narrow and outdated escalators. The existing lobby offered limited seating and wayfinding information. Beginning in 2014, SGH collaborated with Payette and Moshier Studio on a multiphase project to redefine the building’s entrance, bring more daylight into the lobby, eliminate the outdated escalators, and create a welcoming gathering space.
SGH served as the structural engineer of record for the lobby renovation project, which was the first of several planned renovations efforts. Highlights of the design include:
- A glass-enclosed lobby at the street level, constructed on the original elevated plaza
- A glass-enclosed café cantilevering over the original entrance with perforated aluminum sun shades
- Accessible ramps and planters between Terrace Street and the entrance
- Communicating stairs replacing the antiquated escalators
- Glass guards around modified stair openings
- Building information displays
Project Summary
Solutions
Repair & Rehabilitation
Services
Structures
Markets
Education
Client(s)
Payette | Moshier Studio
Specialized Capabilities
Repair & Strengthening
Key team members


Additional Projects
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Sansom Place East is a high-rise apartment tower for University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) graduate students. SGH consulted on the building enclosure rehabilitation for Sansom Place East, which was rebranded as the Accolade on Chestnut and houses 473 apartment units.
Mid-Atlantic
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SGH investigated several issues with the building’s exterior walls, windows, and roofs. We subsequently designed a building enclosure rehabilitation program, including replacing roofing, wall cladding, and windows.