Research

Article: "Building Character, Communities leverage their unique assets to help breathe life into downtown areas," American City & County: Michael Stern November 2007; American author Gertrude Stein once complained of Oakland, Calif., her hometown, that there was no “there” there. Stein moved to Paris for the same reason that people continue to be attracted to cities of distinct character and charm — from San Francisco to Charleston. Their strong sense of place defines them as great cities and creates memorable communities.
Panel Leader/Workshop: "A Tale of Two Malls," AIA Conference, San Antonio: Edward Shriver May 2007; AIA Conference in San Antonio, Ed conducted a case study workshop, A Tale of Two Malls, which compared the success and failure of two malls built across the street from each other. The workshop explored the strategies that worked, and didn’t work, as these two similar ventures competed for the same customer base.
Moderator: “The Big Box and the Big City: Re-Imaging the Urban Department Store-Future Trends,” ICSC Conference, Las Vegas.: Edward Shriver May 2007; ICSC Spring Conference May 20-23 in Las Vegas. Shopping, because it is tied to the shifting desires of the marketplace, is not a stable urban building block and is best described in terms of cycles and life spans. Given the large footprint of the average department store, the impact of change or death of an urban store can be devastating. The discussion will focus on creative ways to re-use and re-purpose these large spaces to strengthen the retail core and rebuild the urban fabric.
Presentation: Contract Documents for Design & Construction Services: Be careful what you change!: Alan Cuteri April 2007; KAPPA at the University of Pittsburgh, Bradford
Article: "Understanding Public Service Through Interactive Library Facilities": Alan Cuteri January 2007; Trends article in College Planning & Management
Presentation: "Contextual Design in Historic Urban Neighborhoods," National Trust for Historic Preservation Annual Meeting, Pittsburgh: John Martine November 2006; National Trust for Historic Preservation
Article: "Big Box and the City": Edward Shriver November 2006; Feature article in Shopping Center Business
Presentation: "Transforming a Local Neighborhood into a Regional Destination," National Main Streets Conference, New Orleans: John Martine June 2006; National Main Streets Conference, New Orleans, LA
Presentation: "Building Rehab 101," Pennsylvania Heritage Conference: John Martine May 2006; Pennsylvania Heritage Partnerships Conference, Franklin, PA
Article: “Pittsburgh Urban Housing,” Urban Land, Vol. 67, No. 5: Michael Stern May 2006
Article: "Historical Renovations: McCarl Center for Nontraditional Student Success": Alan Cuteri January 2006; College Planning and Management, Vol. 9, Issue 1
Article: “Developing Downtown: Metro Center at Owings Mills”, Urbanite: Michael Stern January 2006
Presentation: Patching Pittsburgh – Stitching the Past and the Present Together: John Martine November 2005; AIA Virginia Architecture Exchange East, Richmond, VA / Presented with Tom Price, Intern Architect at Strada
Panel: Corridors of Opportunity: Washington County: Edward Shriver June 2005
Panel: Urban Land Institute, Downtown Revitalization Study, Rochester, NY: Edward Shriver June 2005
Article: “Pittsburgh Forges Ahead”, Urban Land, Vol. 64, No. 6: Michael Stern June 2005
Presentation: A Tale of Three Cities: Small, Medium, Large: Michael Stern March 2005; American Society of Landscape Architects PA/DE Chapter Annual Convention, Hershey, PA
Presentation: Urban Design, Downtown Erie, PA: Michael Stern January 2005
Panel: Urban Land Institute, Eastern Market Revitalization Study, Detroit, MI: Edward Shriver December 2004
Panel: Urban Land Institute, Downtown Revitalization Study, Camden, NJ: Michael Stern June 2004
Presentation: Sympathetic Design in a Historic Educational Context: Alan Cuteri September 2003; Restoration and Preservation Conference, Chicago, IL / Presented with John Martine