The face of Oakland is undergoing a remarkable transformation.
With the rise of new facilities on the Pitt campus and multi-level residential projects, the neighborhood’s architectural identity is being reshaped while preserving its historical essence.
Pitt has recently concluded several construction and design projects, highlighting the Recreation and Wellness Center and the Hillman Library renovation, both showcasing contemporary glass-clad exteriors.
The skyline of South Oakland is set to change with several ongoing construction projects, including upcoming housing developments and taller apartment buildings. Notable projects include a nine-story residential building on 250 Atwood St. and a 12-floor apartment complex on Halket Street. Newer apartment complexes like HERE and SkyVue are already part of the area, with the Caroline apartments still under construction.
Drew Armstrong, director of architectural studies at Pitt, notes the shift in architectural materials as a defining feature of Pitt’s modern structures. “The transparency and lightness of glass is at the forefront of the architecture we see now on Pitt’s campus,” Armstrong stated. “This is happening very recently with Hillman and the Recreation Center, where the exteriors are fundamentally sheathed in glass.”
Contrastingly, Pitt’s traditional campus buildings exhibit a mixture of architectural styles from various historical eras and cultures. Armstrong explained, “For many of Pitt’s older buildings, architects took inspiration from the Middle Ages in Europe and from the Renaissance. With newer additions coexisting alongside historical buildings, you can see the history of architecture before your eyes.”
The Campus Master Plan of Pitt emphasizes thoughtful stewardship in building designs to cater to both present and future university needs. Gina Bleck, vice chancellor for planning, design, and construction, shared that every new project is carefully reviewed to honor Oakland’s architectural legacy. “All projects go through an internal evaluation, as well as review by the City Planning Department and the Historic Review Commission when applicable. There is an appreciation and stewardship of the historic legacy within Oakland that the Campus Master Plan continues to embrace,” Bleck said.
Julia Gilardi, a senior majoring in civil engineering, has observed a significant move toward sustainable and modern architecture on Pitt’s campus. “The new Recreation and Wellness Center was built with many LEED initiatives in mind, and I have seen a shift toward more sustainable construction that leans into the modern architectural style. On Pitt’s campus, the two seem to go hand-in-hand, which is great,” she remarked.
Gilardi also appreciates the diverse architectural styles throughout Oakland. “From an aesthetics point of view, it’s very different to walk down Forbes Avenue with its modern buildings and then turn into South Oakland, where there is a completely different style of buildings,” she noted. “There’s a clear shift between the increasing modern buildings and the older, college-town style — but this adds to the charm.”
The trend of modern architecture is extending into South Oakland, where taller housing projects are becoming more common. “Twelve-story buildings as opposed to houses that are three units tall is a drastic shift in the [South Oakland] neighborhood and community,” Gilardi commented. “The construction of these new buildings has a big impact on the community.”
As accessibility gains prominence in architectural considerations, Gilardi points out the disparity between new campus buildings and the older, less accessible structures in South Oakland. “Everywhere is steep, and buildings are far older in South Oakland — so the new buildings like Hillman and the Recreation Center that are built with important regulations and accessibility in mind definitely reflect a shift in our time and modernity,” she observed.
Armstrong highlighted the necessity for buildings to adapt over time to changing needs, including accessibility. “There are very practical things that make it necessary to rethink how we design buildings. One is a heightened awareness of wheelchair accessibility, and this is clearly the idea at Hillman and many other Pitt buildings,” Armstrong noted.
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