The PPAL Center for Community Excellence: A Vision for The Former East Liberty Mellon Bank Building

Each year for the past 11 years the Pittsburgh chapter of the American Institute of Architects hosts their Young Architect’s Studio Competition. Open to individuals or teams comprising of students and recent graduates of architecture programs that reside within the 11 county area that comprises the Pittsburgh chapter. The design competition usually revolves around a threatened regional icon, global issue we face locally, or the preservation of important buildings or structures within the Pittsburgh region. This year’s design prompt was the preservation and redevelopment of the former Mellon Bank building in Pittsburgh’s East Liberty Neighborhood. Located at 6112 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 this bank building is under threat of redevelopment, and so the design prompt this year was how can we as a architects and members of the community save this icon of modern design?