MSA Safety Incorporated - Building G Expansion
Pittsburgh, PA

Size: 20,000 square Feet

Services: Architecture

The Building G Expansion was designed for manufacturing flexibility and efficiency, which governed the shape and height of the structure, allowing for free movement of people, goods and forklifts, throughout the space. The building expansion design signals new manufacturing technologies within, while fitting into the existing architectural context.

The addition includes simple materials artfully assembled. The building expansion was designed to mimic the existing campus and take minor cues from the adjacent building connection. The design goals of the enclosure were to use color and texture to reflect the existing building’s expressed structure in order to create an elegant and refined expression of form and contextual continuity on what is otherwise a flat surface.

The project features an open concept, structured around MSA’s standard for production lines, laid out in the center of the space with a forklift loop surrounding the production lines and connecting back to a new loading area for direct product distribution. The structure is wide span with one central column, all services and utilities are provided from overhead and the finishes standardized so as to allow for future flexibility as production tactics and manufacturing demands change.

The building addition is 35% more efficient than if the same program were built to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) 20 years ago.

The Building G Expansion is designed to completely offset its storm water impact by connecting all roof drains and site drains to a storm water retention and filtration pond north of the campus.

The expansion is meant to symbolize and formalize MSA’s commitment to and investment in expanding manufacturing jobs in the Pittsburgh area.