An open patch of grass surrounded on three sides by high-rises and by a multi-story parking garage on the fourth side, was transformed into the 8th Street Park in downtown Pittsburgh.
As is the case with many public parks, the focal point of the 8th Street Park is an art installation, taking the form of a large, illuminated cube. However, where this park’s installation differs from most, is that it is a functional piece of art. On each of the cubes four outward facing sides is a space for dispensing water, both still and sparkling, for free. The hope is that the Cube will encourage people to use reusable water bottles and lessen the stress on the environment caused by plastic, disposable bottles. Pulsing LED lights make the Cube easy to spot after dark.
In addition to helping to eliminate the use of plastic bottles, a new pervious paver system was added to the space to allow more water to naturally percolate into the ground instead of making its way into the City’s storm water lines.
The Cube is made of glass and measures 5.5 feet on all sides. It sits atop an 18-inch cylindrical stainless steel base. Other elements of the park include steel and aluminum benches and bike racks. Additionally, abundant planting and mounding of the earth along the side bordering the parking lot helps to obscure the view of the structure and the cars.
The 2,000-sf project, which was designed by GBBN Architects, was awarded an AIA Ohio Merit Award.
Related Stories
| Jun 11, 2018
Accelerate Live! talk: Regenerative design — When sustainability is not enough
In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), HMC’s Eric Carbonnier poses the question: What if buildings could actually rejuvenate ecosystems?
| May 30, 2018
Accelerate Live! talk: T3 mass timber office buildings
In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), architect and mass timber design expert Steve Cavanaugh tells the story behind the nation’s newest—and largest—mass timber building: T3 in Minneapolis.
Green | May 25, 2018
The healing power of green spaces
The healthcare community is looking at adopting integrated care systems in which outdoor healing and therapeutic gardens are an essential complement to the indoor treatments.
BD+C University Course | May 24, 2018
Building passively [AIA course]
17 tips from our experts on the best way to carry out passive house design and construction for your next multifamily project. This AIA CES course is worth 1.0 AIA LU/HSW.
Green | Apr 13, 2018
evolv1 earns Canada’s first Zero Carbon Building-Design certification
The multi-tenant commercial office building is currently under construction.
Sustainability | Apr 11, 2018
Hampshire College is home to the largest Living Certified higher education project in the world
The project joins 16 other Living Buildings certified to date.
Green | Mar 27, 2018
The world’s biggest tropical greenhouse under one roof will be built in France
Coldefy & Associates Architects Urban Planners will design the project.
Sustainability | Mar 21, 2018
LEED v4.1 — a game changer or business as usual?
The largest number of changes in v4.1 affect materials.
