The University of Pittsburgh sought an inviting space that would celebrate international cultures and spark interest in connection and exploration. Their site was 3,200 sq. ft. of under-utilized space on the first floor of Wesley W. Posvar Hall, a 1970s brutalist building on campus. The project was completed in August 2019.
The space was designed to give a sense of many cultures without directly connecting to any one, while providing opportunities for students to learn about programs abroad that match their interests.
The design team achieved this with a material palette that blends international influences, from plaster walls to woven wood baskets.
There are a plethora of interactive screens and display cases that educate users about various countries and opportunities abroad. The furniture selections and placement supports diverse functions, from day-to-day studying and conversation to large special events. The design team also added a communicating stair to fully incorporate the existing five-story lightwell.
In the interest of sustainability, the University of Pittsburgh sought to create the Global Hub in an existing, underutilized space, instead of building a new one with new materials. The design team minimized the amount of required demolition, thereby reducing construction waste. The space is lit with both energy-efficient LEDs and sunlight entering from the skylight above. The materials were specifically chosen with durability in mind, to guarantee their integrity for years to come in the heavily-used space.
All the information about how to enter the 2021 WIN Awards is here.
We are very happy to offer support so please don’t hesitate to email Shakira Browne, Senior Event Manager with any questions at shakira.browne@haymarket.com.
Last year more than 40 countries took part in the WIN Awards with strong showings from Europe, the Americas and Asia-Pacific. And we saw some truly outstanding interior designs, take a look at the winners from last year here.