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The Terrace Street entrance to Alan Magee Scaife Hall was dark and confronted visitors with a maze of narrow and outdated escalators.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Studio on a multiphase project to redefine the building’s entrance, bring more daylight into the lobby, eliminate the outdated escalators, and create a welcoming gathering space.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
Mid-Atlantic
University of the District of Columbia
The University of the District of Columbia wanted to renovate the Theater of the Arts building and address ongoing leakage at the same time. SGH investigated leakage and designed repairs.
Mid-Atlantic
Towson University, Glen Towers
Originally constructed in 1983, the university elected to update and improve the complex. SGH consulted on the design of the building enclosure and provided building enclosure commissioning services from the early stages of design through construction.