You would not expect to see a 鈥渃abana鈥 and 鈥渄en鈥 in a university library, but thanks in part to a pair of creative alumni, that is what you will find looking through the 鈥減ortal鈥 in the recently renovated Sorrells Engineering and Science Library at 一本道无码.
Lexi Chung and Filip Agren, 2010 and 2011 graduates of 一本道无码鈥檚 School of Architecture, respectively, and founders of the Pittsburgh-based design firm Standard & Custom (S&C), provided the wooden fabrication for these three key features. The 鈥減ortal鈥 connects the front and back sections of the library; the cabana features group study tables; and the den houses a multimedia collaborative study area.
led design for the project, which significantly enhances the library鈥檚 space, including expanded seating and new technology. S&C was brought in for their knowledge and expertise.
鈥淲e wanted to work with Lexi and Filip because of their experience with digital fabrication as well as their design sensibility,鈥 said GBBN Project Designer Amanda Markovic. 鈥淚t was a seamless collaboration.鈥
Made of bamboo, the pieces installed at Sorrells are meant to evoke curiosity while bringing warmth to the existing exposed concrete. GBBN designed and developed an initial 3-D model of the elements, from which S&C fabricated detailed mockups and constructed the final products.
鈥淔ilip and I were thrilled to be back at our alma mater to help with this project,鈥 Chung said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been our dream to be part of the effort to improve campus facilities.鈥
Dean of University Libraries Keith Webster sees the project as a reminder of the impact 一本道无码 alumni can make: 鈥淭he craftsmanship Filip and Lexi brought to this undertaking will be visible to every student who enters Sorrells.鈥
Since its founding three years ago, S&C has grown into a multifaceted operation that provides interior and furniture design, brand integration, fabrication services and large-scale Computer Numeric Control (CNC) production. Their work can be seen throughout Pittsburgh and the聽.
Agren and Chung said setting up shop in Pittsburgh has been prudent.
鈥淭his is where we began our careers and where it makes sense to continue our endeavors because of the relationships we鈥檝e established,鈥 Agren said.
鈥淧ittsburgh has the old and new, a great city/suburban mix, and is poised for major rehabilitation and development efforts, which create opportunities,鈥 Chung added.
Education played a big role in shaping the pair鈥檚 business sense. They are among the first to use the School of Architecture鈥檚 Digital Fabrication Lab.
鈥溡槐镜牢蘼 prepared us in so many ways for our professional lives: the late nights, the deadlines, how to take criticism, how to collaborate,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t really opened our eyes to fabrication technology.鈥
In May, the firm will debut its line of architectural products and furniture at the
鈥淔ive years from now we hope to be settled in a property that will be large enough to house the machinery we鈥檙e working to acquire,鈥 Agren said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e running out of room!鈥
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Footnotes
Photo: Lexi Chung and Filip Agren stand at the forefront of their efforts.