Global Technology Company Offices – Pittsburgh
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson’s design for a global technology company’s offices in Pittsburgh seamlessly blends the historical integrity of a brick and timber warehouse with modern, flexible workspaces that celebrate the city’s innovative spirit.
Drawn to Pittsburgh’s historic Heinz campus for its rich history and industrial character, a global technology company engaged Bohlin Cywinski Jackson to create a workplace located within a brick and timber warehouse. The new workspace balances old and new, offering adaptive and flexible environments while fostering a deeper connection to the city’s history of technological innovation. The renovation highlights and preserves defining elements of the former industrial warehouse, including exposing its robust timber structure and nail laminated timber floor systems.
Leveraging the building’s qualities while creating flow and dynamism, the project team designed open gathering spaces to serve as a connective fabric between workplace neighborhoods. The north/south axis on each floor draws visitors from the lobby through social spaces, while the east/west axis connects focused teaming spaces. Social commons anchor both axes on each floor––each area is a bustling hub that maximizes daylight and external connectivity. The modularity of the building’s timber structure was utilized as an organizing principle throughout, creating programmatic zones that can reconfigure as various team sizes shrink or expand.
Each floor features unique additions, such as artwork or materials supplied by local artists and artisans. These pieces bridge technology and craftsmanship, such as the 3D-printed ceramic wall sculptures by Brian Peters found on each floor or the laser-cut metal panels installed along each hallway displaying abstract designs of Pittsburgh’s bridges. Additionally, each kitchenette includes ceramic wall tiles produced and manufactured in a shop only minutes from the site.
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson worked with the client to create new ways for its driven technical staff to appreciate and connect with their surroundings. This effort includes a ground floor patio, planters with a designated space for beehives to provide a new habitat for local pollinators, and a rooftop terrace offering sweeping views of the iconic 16th Street Bridge and the downtown skyline. The terrace incorporates a large shading system, creating a comfortable space for employees to dine, relax, or meet. To further capture panoramic views of the Allegheny River, shared amenities such as the large dining and lounge areas were relocated to the top floor.
Design: Bohlin Cywinski Jackson
Design Team: Kent Suhrbier, Drew Balzer, Katie Walsh, Eric Leathers, David Kitchen
Contractor: Rycon Construction, Inc.
Photography: ©Ed Massery
Now editing content for LinkedIn.