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
| Mar 26, 2012
Jones Lang LaSalle completes construction of $536M Parkview Regional Medical Center
Hospital ushers in new era of local access to advanced medical treatments in Northeast Indiana.
| Mar 26, 2012
Los Angeles County to host free green building training
Opportunity for residential and commercial building professionals to gain insight on state and county green building standards and regulations.
| Mar 20, 2012
Stanford’s Knight Management Center Awarded LEED Platinum
The 360,000-sf facility underscores what is taught in many of the school’s electives such as Environmental Entrepreneurship and Environmental Science for Managers and Policy Makers, as well as in core classes covering sustainability across the functions of business.
| Mar 20, 2012
New office designs at San Diego’s Sunroad Corporate Center
Traditional office space being transformed into a modern work environment, complete with private offices, high-tech conference rooms, a break room, and an art gallery, as well as standard facilities and amenities.
| Mar 19, 2012
HKS Selected for Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie
Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachiewill incorporate advanced technology including telemedicine, digital imaging, remote patient monitoring, electronic medical records and computer patient records.
| Mar 16, 2012
Work on Oxnard, Calif. shopping center resumes after a three-year hiatus
Stalled since 2009, developers of the Collection at RiverPark decided to restart construction on the outdoor mall.
| Mar 16, 2012
Stego embarks on HPD Pilot Program
Vapor barrier manufacturer strives to provide better green choices to designers and builders.
| Mar 12, 2012
Improving the performance of existing commercial buildings: the chemistry of sustainable construction
Retrofitting our existing commercial buildings is one of the key steps to overcoming the economic and environmental challenges we face.
| Mar 6, 2012
Gensler and Skender complete new corporate headquarters for JMC Steel in Chicago
Construction was completed by Skender in just 12 weeks.
| Mar 6, 2012
Joliet Junior College achieves LEED Gold
With construction managed by Gilbane Building Company, Joliet Junior College’s Facility Services Building combines high-performance technologies with sustainable materials to meet aggressive energy efficiency goals.
