Paint*Pittsburgh | walthaim

Paint* Pittsburgh

Mixed Use Office

Pittsburgh, PA

Collaboration:

Rachel Kirkwood

Kent State University

Spring 2015

Professor:

Peter Marks

Paint*Pittsburgh builds upon the purpose of its context within the Cultural Arts District, providing a fun, new, interactive experience with visual art while simultaneously progressing the paint industry in an environmentally-friendly direction.

(Above) view from across Penn Avenue (Top) view approaching on 9th Street

Site Plan

East Site Section

Mixed-use Program

Flex Space: This is a flexible space which provides the opportunity to experience art and paint in a multitude of non-traditional and abstract methodologies. Some potential uses for the space are splatter painting, paint-balling, playing paint-dodgeball, and any other activity which involves the use of Paint*Pittsburgh’s organic line of pain products.

Artist's Studios: These studio spaces are places where various forms of art are created. They serve to provide ample and flexible space for conducting art classes, spaces for community members to rent out to work on their individual projects, and space for hired professionals to test the organic paints that are produced within the building.

Arts Cafe: This is not a typical downtown café which serves mainly business people - it is a vibrant, dynamic place for artists to gather and collaborate, and for visitors to come and truly be a part of the Cultural Arts District of Downtown Pittsburgh. Musical artists contribute their creative skills by playing on the stage, and culinary artists demonstrate their masterpieces in the café’s kitchen.

Paint Generation: Paint*Pittsburgh produces, sells and then uses their own organically-made paint products, all within this building. Each step of this process is shared with the public in interactive and experiential ways. This Paint Generation Center is where the manufacturing of the products takes place as well as where the finished products are stored until they are sold or used in the other program spaces.

Gallery: This indoor portion of the gallery (art is also displayed outside in the plaza and in the terraced outdoor area adjacent to this space) is used to display all sorts of artwork that has been created on the premises or brought in from local artists. The space serves to promote and encourage creativity by showing examples of some of the artwork that has been crafted by other artistic minds.

Art Supply and Bookstore: This shop is a place for artists to obtain any supply they need for their creative endeavors, as well as for them to find inspiration through the availability of the many art-related books that are sold there. The store sells Paint*Pittsburgh’s organic products, raising awareness for a more environmentally-aware way to develop and create art.

Building Form

Penn & 9th: The design intention behind this building is to respect its prominent corner location on the ground floor level. This was accomplished by placing highly public program pieces - such as the Café and the Books and Art Supplies Store - in these important locations along the street edges.

Facades

On the faces of the building which receive significant sun, a double-skin facade has been placed to mitigate the harshness of the sun and to provide a method for natural ventilation. As air is heated in the cavity, it rises, creating a natural stack effect flow of air that requires no active mechanical systems

Double-skin facade system

Single-skin facade system

Faces of clear glazing are shaded by terrace overhangs or light shelves. Exterior planter boxes are included and extend to the terraces.

Terraces

Green-roof planters are used to enclose small terrace spaces that can be used by the office tenants as a sheltered outdoor spaces in which to take breaks from work. People can spend time outdoors, see great city views, and catch a breath of fresh air.

Office Program

A typical 4000 sf. office configuration was designed on the north end of the building. Building systems including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, structural, and life safety were well developed and documented in this space.