River Revisited

When it came time to review the ARC Award submissions, a couple of familiar faces surfaced, including the Lawrence Center, the subject of our Project Journal this past year. During the competition judging, its tremendous features, including its daylighted exhibition hall, once again shone through. Ultimately, there were two factors that brought home the prize: First, the facility truly has revo...

By Staff December 1, 2004

When it came time to review the ARC Award submissions, a couple of familiar faces surfaced, including the Lawrence Center, the subject of our Project Journal this past year. During the competition judging, its tremendous features, including its daylighted exhibition hall, once again shone through. Ultimately, there were two factors that brought home the prize: First, the facility truly has revolutionized the concept of how a convention center should perform—no more black boxes and stuffy, poorly lit meeting rooms. Second, it is an integral component—even the catalyst—of a redevelopment program for Pittsburgh’s downtown and riverfront. Rather than describe the building again, we ask readers to revisit our January issue, as well as subsequent Project Journal installments throughout this past year. Please also read the commentary on sustainability and structure as an integrated concept by the project’s visionary, Rafael Viñoly, on p. 53.