Overview
The Department of Veterans Affairs – Pittsburgh dedicated this 194,850-sf, five-story Consolidation Building in 2012 to provide ease of access to comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services and acts as a modern addition to the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System on the University Drive campus. Designed by Astorino (with HDR as associate architect) and constructed by P.J. Dick, Inc., this centralized hub-and-spoke main entrance connects the existing acute care hospital, business service area, emergency room, new 1,500-space parking garage and almost 200,000 sq-ft Consolidation Building. The main entrance atrium is crowned with a vaulted structural glass self-supporting roof – a Specialty Overhead Structural Glass Application that was designed, engineered and supplied by Sentech Architectural Systems. The insulated glass skylight highlights the architecturally exposed structural aluminum tubular framing support designed in a triangulated geometry and the sloped, point-supported structural glazing system, with vertical, point-supported structural glazing system and accessory work. Stainless steel fittings withstand movements of the supporting structure for all environmental conditions in the Northeastern United States.
The Veterans Affairs’ design mandate was to flood the lobby with natural daylight, creating a bright and welcoming environment for patients, visitors, and staff. This design not only enhances aesthetic appeal but aligns with the building’s overall focus on healing architecture and energy efficiency. The Consolidation Building is registered for LEED-NC V2.2 certification with the U.S. Green Building Council. The design includes expansive use of natural finish materials including wood wall coverings and stone and terrazzo flooring.
Credits
Architect: Astorino
General Contractor: P.J. Dick
Glazing Contractor: DMP
Owner: U.S. Government
Photo: Sentech Architectural Systems
