January/February       2004

DCD Insights
Putting an End to the Tragic Equation Codes Seek to Improve Emergency Exit Visibility
By Stephen Farley, CSI, CDT
Tragedy could have been avoided, if only the emergency exits were used. How many times has that proclamation been delivered in response to a deadly fire or stampede at a public gathering place?
Insights Archive | Read more

DCD Project At A Glance
John M. & Gertrude E. Petersen Events Center, University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The Petersen Events Center is a 430,000-square-foot, 12,500-seat, athletic/event facility that provides the University of Pittsburgh with modern recreation and fitness spaces, a location for graduations and concerts, and a new home for the Panthers basketball team.

Student life and recreation begins at a 72-foot high glass atrium entrance with a marble floor emblazoned with the basketball team logo. The atrium leads to a hall of fame, ticket office, Athletic and Recreation Department offices, and an escalator corridor that carries visitors past to the balconies of the facility’s 5- levels while maintaining an unbroken view of campus.

Additional Marketability & Value
The long span steel roof structure over the arena floor has a 100,000 pound rigging capacity, enabling it to function as a premier concert facility. The building also includes a new Central Plant for upper campus and a custom engineered smoke detection system.

Associated Manufacturers
Metal Roofing: Metecno Morin
Membrane Roof: Sarnafil
Curtainwall: PPG
Terrazzo: Fritztile

Bid Date: May 1999 to Sep 2000
Construction Period: Oct 1999 to Sep 2002
Total Square Feet: 430,000
Total Height: 121'4"
Total Project Cost: $73,300,000

Joint Venture
Rosser International - 524 West Peachtree Street, N.W., Atlanta, GA 30308
www.rosser.com
Apostolou Associates Architects/Planners - 47 Bailey Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15211
www.apostolouassociates.com