The People’s Choice Award at the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Pittsburgh Design Awards is a public voting initiative that allows the local community to choose their favorite architectural and design projects. This year, DRAW Collective was selected as the People’s Choice Award recipient as the architecture firm for the new Trinity Intermediate School in Washington County, PA. The project received 449 of the 2,358 votes cast, highlighting strong community appreciation for a design that enhances learning, fosters connection, and reflects the values of the Pittsburgh region.
The Design/Construction Team:
Architecture Firm: DRAW Collective – Daniel Engen, AI; Jacklyn Cowan, RA; Jessica Ondrusek, AIA; Victoria Hampton; Kayla Benton; John Reid, RA; Art Flores, LEED AP
General Contractor: Rycon Construction – Travis Bailes
Construction Manager: Massaro CM Services – Gene Laratonda & Nancy Rounsley
MEP Engineering: Tower Engineering – Steffanie Bako, Tom Valerio, Jim Martin & Cory Weiland
Structural Engineering: Barber & Hoffman – Jim Pospisil
Civil Engineering and Landscape Architecture: Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. – John Frydrych
Food Services Consultant: Food Facilities Concepts, Inc. – Michael Ventresca
Photographer: Ed Massery
About the Project:
Faced with increasing enrollment at the District’s elementary buildings, Trinity Area School District embarked on a multi-year exploration of how to address this challenge. The result was the design and construction of the new Trinity Intermediate School, a dedicated home to grades 4-5. The new building’s placement on the Middle School campus serves as a distinctive entry point, while modernizing the District’s architectural aesthetic.
The design supports the District’s commitment to progressive education with flexible, tech-forward spaces, and collaborative learning zones. Recognizing the increasing complexity of students’ social, emotional, and learning needs, the project also features expanded special education and support service spaces tailored to the diverse needs of the student population. The learning ecosystems integrate biophilic design elements – interactive water feature, abundant natural lighting and biomorphic patterns.
About Design Pittsburgh:
Design Pittsburgh is an annual celebration of architecture and design, and honors those who create it. A signature program of AIA Pittsburgh, Design Pittsburgh highlights outstanding architecture and design in the Pittsburgh region. A Design Pittsburgh favorite is the highly anticipated People’s Choice Award, and the winner of this award is chosen by the public at large through electronic voting on all projects submitted each year. The award aims to engage and inspire Pittsburgh residents by showcasing architecture, interiors, and other architecture-related projects created by AIA members in Southwestern Pennsylvania.