The boathouse is located on Pittsburgh’s Allegheny River edge. It is a facility for the Three Rivers Rowing Club members to store boats and train. It is also a place for people of all ages and backgrounds to come together to enjoy the shared experience of rowing and river life. The building massing is designed so that all program spaces face towards one central outdoor area where the most exciting activities occur. The intention was to create high visual connection throughout the interior and exterior spaces to promote all activities.

Because the building is deeply embedded into the ground, the canopy is thought of as a membrane that is pulled from the earth and draped over the building. From the mound, the canopy begins solid, as it approaches the water, it becomes agitated, which creates openings for the light to enter the training rooms underneath; then it disintegrates into a trellis structure that provides shading for the outdoor space. In order to create and test the effects of this evolving canopy system, prototypes were made to inform the design process.

adviser
Prof. Jeremy Ficca

studio
Fourth Year | Veiled Studio