The Assembly was honored by the Society for College and University Planning

The University of Pittsburgh and ZGF Architects LLP have been honored for work on The Assembly by the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) with the Honor Award for Excellence in Architecture for Building Additions, Renovations or Adaptive Reuse. The biomedical research hub revitalized the former Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant in Pittsburgh’s Bloomfield neighborhood.

The building was a beacon of innovation and economic progress when it originally opened in 1915, but the property fell into disrepair in the decades since Ford Motors sold it. The University partnered with Wexford Science & Technology to renovate and expand the space, merging the historic elements — including the refurbished 5-story crane shed — with a modern expansion that adds additional lab and office spaces. The 374,866 square-foot building now boasts amenities, including state-of-the-art labs for biomedical research, conference facilities, an auditorium and retail space.

The Assembly provides an elevated experience for learning and research to support the innovative work being done in the biomedical field, in addition to furthering the University’s sustainability and carbon neutrality goals. Sustainable practices and strategies like reduction of construction waste, operational efficiency and community impact earned the building LEED Gold status in 2022.

— Joshua Kaufer and Melanie Lippert, photo by Halkin Mason Photography