Point Park University Announces Architects for Next Project of Academic
Village Initiative
WTW Architects Designing Student and Convocation Center
PITTSBURGH, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As Point Park University
continues to develop elements of its Academic Village Initiative, a $244
million campus and public enhancement space plan, it announced today that WTW
Architects will design the renovation of its new Student and Convocation
Center.
"We are ready to take the next step forward in the development of The Academic
Village at Point Park University," according to Paul Hennigan, president of
Point Park University. "We have selected WTW Architects of Pittsburgh," he
added, "to design the renovation of 330 Boulevard of the Allies, as well as a
60,000 square-foot addition that will become our new Student and Convocation
Center."
Point Park has set a goal to have construction of the Student and Convocation
Center, a $32 million project, begin by the end of 2012.
"While we have had the pleasure of designing award-winning student centers
and other university projects across the nation, it is especially gratifying
to be selected for such a vital project in our own backyard and in the heart
of Downtown Pittsburgh," said Richard De Young, president and chief executive
officer of WTW Architects. "We are thrilled to play a role in Point Park
University's significant revitalization of this key Downtown corridor."
"Our Student and Convocation Center," noted Hennigan, "will be a green-design
friendly project, in keeping with our commitment to developing a sustainable
plan for our urban campus. WTW, in fact, designed the nation's first Gold
LEED Certified Student Union in the nation -- the University of Vermont's
Dudley H. Davis Student Center, and has designed a number of LEED certified
projects across the United States."
Currently home to the YMCA, 330 Boulevard of the Allies is a 115,000
square-foot facility built in 1985, and acquired by Point Park University in
2008. The new Student Union and Convocation Center will house a 1,000-seat
varsity basketball arena that can convert to convocation space. The
University's athletic department will be located there, as well as locker and
training rooms for students and teams, fitness center and running track,
bookstore, meeting rooms, dining services, and student activity spaces.
"We're seeing a trend in student centers in which there is a blend of student
life spaces, mixing both student intramural activities with varsity sports,
and other activities," said De Young. "It is a great opportunity to create a
center for student involvement."
"The Student and Convocation Center," added Hennigan, "marks the next step in
our $244 million master plan to transform Point Park University into one of
the most dynamic private, urban universities in America. As we move forward
with the development of the Academic Village, it reflects our continued
commitment to creating a vibrant living, learning and community hub and the
continued rebirth of Downtown Pittsburgh."
About Point Park University
Point Park University, founded in 1960, is a comprehensive master's level
university with a strong liberal arts tradition located in the heart of
Downtown Pittsburgh. Point Park enrolls more than 3,900 full-and part-time
students in 67 undergraduate programs and 11 graduate programs offered through
its School of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, School of Communication
and the Conservatory of Performing Arts.
About WTW Architects
Headquartered in Pittsburgh with an affiliate office in Colorado Springs, WTW
Architects is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The firm has been involved in
the design of more than 80 student centers throughout the United States.
Their clients include the University of California at Irvine, Georgia Tech,
Louisiana State University, Penn State, DePaul University, University of
Colorado, University of Connecticut, University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne
University, University of Miami, and the University of Texas at Austin.
Additionally, the firm has designed a variety of academic facilities for major
universities nationwide.
SOURCE Point Park University
Mary Ellen Solomon of Point Park University, +1-412-392-6190,
mesolomon@pointpark.edu; or Janice Fabrizi of WTW Architects, +1-412-321-0550,
jfabrizi@wtwarch.com
