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Engineering & Information Technologies Building, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford
Bradford, PA
University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Engineering & Information Technologies Building
Practical applications.
Creating a home for two new tech programs.
Specialized spaces for hands-on instruction
The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford needed to create new specialized instructional spaces and support facilities to develop their two new engineering technology programs and enhance and combine the facilities of existing programs. Because of the firm’s experience in STEM and careers education facility development, HED was selected to design Pitt-Bradford’s Engineering and Information Technologies Building. The building will house the new mechanical engineering technology and energy engineering technology programs, the relocated computer information systems and technology program, and contain academic support space for increased student enrollment. Several types of labs are to be found in the new building, including a strength and materials lab, fluid dynamics lab with small hydro tunnel to test designs, a circuit lab with bench space for soldering, generators, and analog/digital trainer desktop kits, and a measurements lab for the energy engineering and energy science and technology programs where students will be able to work with sensors and automation. Computer labs are provided, with specialized services such as a machine shop for first-year engineering students with computer-controlled cutters and plasma cutters used to cut through electrically conducive materials, and a maker space with 3-D printing for rapid prototyping to be shared with the information technology program. The building will also include the campus data center, active large group classrooms, and faculty and staff offices.

The new building will be the center of technology and innovation on campus and across the region, chock full of rapid prototyping machines, oscilloscopes, engineering lab stations and more to provide hands-on technical learning. Students in mechanical engineering technology will be able to design and build a prototype for an industrial process, then test them in labs for fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, strength of materials and electrical circuits. The energy engineering technology students will learn about geology, combustion, automation and sensors, biofuels, wood chemistry, wind and solar power, and the chemistry of petroleum and natural gas.

Graduates with these engineering technology degrees will be prepared to apply for and perform the same jobs as those with engineering degrees, however, the teaching and learning in the technology programs will be focused on practical applications.
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Results
The design strategy aligns all functions to open to a two-story collaborative center to enhance visibility, accessibility, interactions, and team building.
The siting of the building creates a centralized common that provides a more social, collaborative, team-based learning model for the campus.
A cantilevered metal clad faculty office “bar” floating above a glass enclosed collaborative first floor provides a dynamic north edge for the newly formed quad.
Labs and classrooms all use the same module footprint to enhance flexibility.
A thick building footprint and strategic integration of glass reduces energy usage while preserving access to daylight and views.
Exposed ceilings in the shared, centralized maker hub put building systems on display.
Engineering technology students will have hands-on labs and study applied mathematics. They will create on their own in a maker space full of milling machines, lathes, welding equipment, metal cutting technology and 3-D printers and scanners.
This is a really exciting project for Pitt-Bradford. It is the first academic building that the campus has built in two decades, and it’s going to provide a state-of-the-art home for our computer information systems and technology program as well as two new engineering technology programs.”
Rick Esch
Interim President
University of Pittsburgh at Bradford
Without this new building to house our special equipment and labs, we wouldn’t be able to offer our students these new engineering technology programs in which graduates are in demand, and without these new majors, our region’s need for a locally trained and skilled workforce would continue to go unmet in key areas.”
Dr. Matt Kropf
Associate Professor of Petroleum Technology
University of Pittsburgh at Bradford
Project Data
Engineering & Information Technologies Building 2019-05653-000
University of Pittsburgh at Bradford
Bradford, Pennsylvania
PROJECT SCOPE
New Construction
HED ROLE
Design Architect, Structural Engineering, Mechanical/ Plumbing Engineering, Technology Solutions, Lab Planning
RSF/GSF
38,880
CONSTRUCTION COST
$17.7 Million
SUSTAINABILITY LEVEL
    LEED Certified Equivalent
Project Team
  • Christopher Vogelheim
    AIA, LEED AP
    Principal
    Market Sector Leadership
  • Jack Bullo
    AIA, LEED AP
    Principal
    Design | Architecture
  • Kshipra Rele
    RA, LEED AP, EDAC
    Associate Principal
    Architecture | Sustainable Design Leader
  • Scott Morgan
    PE
    Associate Principal
    Mechanical Engineering
  • Megan Crawford
    PE
    Associate Principal
    Structural Engineering
  • Thomas Hoff
    Mechanical Design
  • Marilee Lloyd
    AIA
    Associate Principal
    National Laboratory Planning Leader
  • Kam Chow
    Electrical Design
  • Andrea Bell
    Mechanical Engineering
  • Brian Fiander
    PE, LEED AP BD+C, MBA
    Associate
    Electrical Engineering
  • Jennifer Green
    Assoc. AIA
    Design
  • Thomas Herzog
    Electrical Design
  • Roan Isaku
    AIA
    Associate
    Practice Technology Project Leader
  • Michael Trimble
    Mechanical Design
Creating a home for two new tech programs.
Engineering & Information Technologies Building, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford
Bradford, PA
PROJECT DATA
PROJECT TEAM
Practical applications.