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Get the most interesting and important stories from the University of Pittsburgh.The new Campus Recreation and Wellness Center at the University of Pittsburgh is nearing completion, but there’s a way to visit before its grand opening.
You’d just have to be the size of a toy soldier.
Students from Pitt’s Swanson School of Engineering and History of Art and Architecture program built an interactive, miniature model of the center to demonstrate its capabilities and scope to the University community before construction is finished.
The model was created for XProjects, part of the Swanson School’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program, where students design, prototype and test a real-world product or system over the course of a semester.
Shaista Rahim, a senior studying architecture, and her teammates didn’t know much about the center until they signed up for the project.
“We wanted to show what opportunities the building would have for students like ourselves,” said Rahim. “We highlighted key points of the building like the swimming pool, glass exterior and rock-climbing wall to give students like us a good idea of what it could be.”
Students met with Anastasia Dubnicay, Pitt’s project manager of architecture who is overseeing the construction of the center, and received CAD drawings, elevations and renderings and a model made with Revit, a building information modeling software. Dubnicay also accompanied the students on a visit to the center’s construction site to help them grasp the actual layout of the building.
Fiona Cheng, a senior studying mechanical engineering, said the site visit was the most valuable part of the project.
“The site visit is what gave us ideas on what to feature and how we wanted to go about modeling them,” Cheng said.
[Catch up on more construction projects around Pitt.]
Using the Revit files, students scaled down the model and translated it into something buildable using a laser printer. Chipboard, acrylic and wood were used to assemble the finished product. Lighting was added to draw attention to specific areas of interest.
“I want a mini-sized one for my desk,” joked Dubnicay, the project manager. “I think it will really help people get excited about the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center and shine a light on the students’ work at the same time.”
The XProject marked the first opportunity for students to work across disciplines, with architects and engineers collaborating closely, mirroring real-world practices. As a result, students eagerly signed up.
“As a mechanical engineer, it was eye-opening to see all the things that architects do and what they work with,” said Jordan Kelly, a junior studying mechanical engineering. “They taught us everything from the lingo to what goes into making a model, which I’ve never done before.”
Abby Burthe, a senior studying architecture, said her favorite part of the project was working alongside the engineers. “They made this project so unique by adding their ideas to the model and helped me realize how I can elevate my work as well,” she said.
Carla M. Panzella, the vice provost for student affairs, said the model “enthusiastically” represents the energy of the building.
“The Campus Recreation and Wellness Center began by listening to students’ voices and so engaging our students from the Swanson School of Engineering as well as students from the History of Art and Architecture program was a natural collaboration,” said Panzella. “The Campus Recreation and Wellness Center will be a transformative space at the heart of campus that will serve as the intersection of well-being at Pitt. This building will encompass many areas of health and wellness to serve our community. I can’t wait to celebrate the opening of this building with our community.”
The model is on display at the William Pitt Union until the end of the spring semester in 2025.
— Kat Procyk, Photography by Aimee Obidzinski, except as noted