Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
Byham Center for Dance

The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre sits along a transient zone of Pittsburgh’s historic Strip District. Cars, trucks, and buses whiz by at upwards of 40 miles an hour, despite the speed limit. When the Ballet moved into the former neon factory, the region’s industrial economy was in its final hour. While steel mills and associated industries were shutting their doors at alarming rates, this stretch of The Strip was still home to dozens of factories and warehouses. The original design of the Ballet’s studios has a definitively inward focus. Perhaps it was accidental, perhaps it was to shield itself from the grit and noise of the busy arterial. In any case, the Ballet conducted classes and professional practices in this bunker for thirty years.

Fast forward to 2012, the character of the Strip District, like much of inner city Pittsburgh, continues to evolve. Many of the industrial buildings have been converted. Buildings on the surrounding blocks have new lives. It was time for the Ballet to come out of its shell.

The annex had functional requirements, such as dance studios reaching the volume of the Benedum stage and a new fitness space open to the public. Equally as important, though, were the goals set for the exterior design. The new construction needed to have a role in promoting the variety of programs housed within. The building must convey the message that dance is for everyone. As PBT Executive Director, Harris Ferris, said, “Dance is universal – whether it’s for fitness, fun, self-expression or your life’s work. We want this facility to serve the community as a resource for dance-based training, fitness, and learning.” (pbt.org)