The design process is a problem-solving exercise, and it begins by understanding a great many issues. These issues, of course, include what is first presented by the client, but many are hidden beneath the surface. Our clients come to us because they need a new building, an existing building renovated, or a combination of the…
The story is always at the heart of a good book. The same is veritable of successful architecture – whether you call it a parti, a thesis, or a question, a building has a guiding concept. Even while architecture and graphic novels are often viewed as discrete pursuits, comics share numerous parallels that serve to…
If you follow the A/E/C industry, you may have noticed that the term “rendering” is thrown around casually these days. It can be hard to distinguish the inspiration for a project from the plans for the real thing. It’s no secret that the design process varies heavily from client to client, project to project, but…
Remember elementary school, when you were asked to draw something for class? You got out your crayon box and let your imagination take over. You drew grass and flowers and a sun, or a house with a front door and four windows. You mentally put yourself into that piece of paper and went to town. …
“What people say, what people do, and what they say they do are entirely different things.” -Margaret Mead When I joined an architecture firm for the first time a year ago, I was drawn to being part of something bigger than myself (literally) that I could not only appreciate, but see and experience in…
I’ve known since I was 12 years old that I would use my design talents to impact underrepresented communities, and I never expected that journey would bring me to Pittsburgh. In 2011, I was invited to Pittsburgh from Florida by the UDREAM Program at Carnegie Mellon University. UDREAM, the Urban Design Regional Employment…
What is an “emerging professional?” As architects, we use the term to describe any professional with 10 years of experience or less. At IKM Architecture, our “emerging professionals” represent the largest and most influential group at the firm. In many ways, their diverse backgrounds, skill sets, and technical acumen make them our go-to resource for…
“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” – Marcus Garvey Throughout its rich history and metamorphosis as a firm, IKM has remained at the forefront of creating significant, meaningful architecture in Pittsburgh and the surrounding region. Now in its 11th decade, several of these…
The Phipps Conservatory Center for Sustainable Landscapes [above] is the first institution to receive WELL Platinum Certification – the highest awarded rating. Photo credit: Denmarsh Photography via Phipps Conservatory website. After nearly 20 years in the architecture industry, it’s safe to say that the LEED Rating System is part of the zeitgeist. Most of…
“Every great design begins with an even better story.”—Lorinda Mamo The Chartiers Valley Middle school and High School have been under construction for almost a year now, and the opening of the Middle School this Fall is just around the corner. In that year, the hilltop site along I-79 has transformed in an effort to design…