The Hill House Association is beginning a large-scale renovation project to their campus. The Kauffman Auditorium, a building dating from the 1920s, is the keystone of their facility and will be the focus of the first phase of planning and renovation. The Hill House, a recipient of past Design Fund grants for Kirkpatrick Park and Herron Avenue projects, has hired the CDCP to assist with the architect selection process in connection with the Kauffman Auditorium. To learn more about the Hill House Association, visit their website.
Volunteers Needed for Pedal Pittsburgh
May 14-18, various dates & locations
Contact Christina Howell at 412.391.4144 or by email
EVENT l Celebrating 15 Years and a Great Ride
Every year since 1994 Pedal Pittsburgh has offered a great way to experience the defining architecture and urban design of the city and its neighborhoods. Annually attracting more than 2,000 riders, participants range from families with children and recreational riders to hard-core fitness enthusiasts. Participants can choose from 6- to 60-mile routes. Register early for Pedal Pittsburgh on Sunday, May 18 and save! Don't wait until your registration brochure arrives in the mail--register online now.
DESIGN l Group Promotes Civic Design in Philadelphia
The Delaware Regional Planning Commission (DRPC) released a report in November 2007 entitled "Promoting Civic Design Excellence in Philadelphia." This interesting report argues that great cities invest in great civic design, and bolsters that argument by defining good civic design and researching best practices. In a section of this report entitled "Ideas for Philadelphia: Design Education and Advocacy," the DRPC features the CDCP as one of three national model design education and advocacy organizations. To view the report in its entirety, follow this link.
ON THE ROAD l RenPlanSM Design Consultants at Home & Garden Show
The Pittsburgh Home & Garden Show will be held March 7-16, featuring approximately 1500 exhibits to inform and educate homeowners about products and services available. Be sure to stop by the RenPlanSM booth during the last weekend of the Show, March 14-16. RenPlanSM staff and consultants will be on hand to answer questions and discuss design with interested homeowners.
EDUCATION l Real Estate Educator Spring Session Begins
The Historic Home Specialist series is back by overwhelming demand! Beginning in March, four continuing education classes will be held for real estate professionals. The first class, the History of American Architecture, will be held in the South Hills. Co-taught by Tara Merenda, RenPlanSM Program Director, and David Mertz, professor of Building Preservation and Restoration from Belmont Technical College, the class will cover how residential and commercial architecture in America has evolved.
REPORT l 2007: A Year of Expansion
2007 was a banner year of growth for the CDCP! In addition to doubling our office space by moving to new digs at 938 Penn, we restructured and expanded the organization, increasing staff from six to ten and promoting three employees. We presented at seven conferences, three of which were national, and co-hosted the Mayoral Candidates Forum on Design in October. The Design Fund committed $100,000 in grants to 10 projects in 10 different neighborhoods, and reached the $1 million mark for total grants given over the life of the program. The RenPlanSM program coordinated over 200 design consultations influencing an estimated $1.58 million in residential and commercial investment. In May we hosted our 14th annual Pedal Pittsburgh, attracting approximately 2,000 riders, and in September our first annual Pittsburgh Design Fair, attracting 1,000 attendees. There's a lot to celebrate in 2008--visit our website to learn more!
mission The Community Design Center of Pittsburgh (CDCP) is a non-profit organization that improves the quality of life by encouraging good design of the built environment. By 2015, our goal is to establish Pittsburgh as a recognized place where good design of the built environment is a defining feature.
