Pittsburgh Gateway
- CLIENT \\
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy - LOCATION \\
Pittsburgh, PA - SIZE \\
4.5 acres
After winning a national design competition, Bionic was commissioned to redesign this iconic entry to the city of Pittsburgh. The urban design links the Fort Pitt bridge to the heart of the cultural district and Point State Park. The design extends the dramatic geometries of crossing the Bridge into the city and incorporates stormwater elements in the streetscape, new bicycle lanes, a sculpture walk, and an immersive lighting experience that will enhance the space for evening use while respecting the night sky. Rich textures in the planting palette and varied tree species assure visual interest throughout the seasons.
Custom furnishings create a distinct identity for the project.
Raised islands provide safety for pedestrians, retain existing costly utilities, and increase soil volume to preserve existing mature trees.
Rich textures in the planting palette and varied tree species display visual interest throughout the seasons of the year.
At night, an immersive lighting experience responds to the individual movements of users and activates the space.
A new sculpture garden through the median of the boulevard displays the best of the city’s modern public sculpture.
The design extends the kinetic experience of crossing the Fort Pitt Bridge into the medians through the form of lighting, planting, paving, furnishings and circulation.
Inserted at road edges, rain gardens clean and infiltrate storm water into the ground. As green infrastructure, the project augments the city storm water system and delivers better quality water to the river.
The Gateway Center vision promised a modern, welcoming entry to the city and a destination for residents and visitors alike. An analysis of existing conditions found decades of deferred maintenance and neglect in need of complete renovation.
Conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles were analyzed to optimize proposed crossings and promote safety
