Carrie Furnace is a abandoned iron furnace that helped revolutionize Pittsburgh during the Steel Era. Today, the brownfield site exists as a void in the urban fabric. The Monongahela River once thrived as an industrial corridor. The fall of the steel industry left the river corridor empty, polluted, and disconnected from local communities. The resurgence of public space along the Monongahela River provides vast opportunities for the city of Pittsburgh and those living in adjacent communities. The concept of this master plan will bring life back to the riverfront and reestablish connections to the river, the local communities, and the rich industrial history of the site. The mixed-use development will seamlessly integrate economic, recreational, ecological, and historical uses.

1. RELINKING
the city, the river, & the heritage
0
CARRIE FURNACE
RETAIL/ RESIDENTIAL
MIXED-USE
mo
no
concept statement
Scale: 1”= 200’
200
400
The Monongahela River once thrived
as an industrial cooridor. The fall of
the steel industy left the river cooridor
empty, polluted, and disconnected
from local communities. The
resurgance of public space along the
Monongahela River provides vast
opportunities for the city of Pittsburgh
and those living in adjacent
communities. The concept of this
master plan will bring life back to the
riverfront and reestablish connections
to the river, the local communities,
and the rich industrial history of the
site. The mixed-use development
will seamlessly integrate economic,
recreational, ecological, and historical
uses.
800
b’
design narrative
PRIMARY COMMERCIAL
MIXED-USE
ng
The design of the site is centered
around the idea of connections. Both
physical and intangible connections
are provided throughout the site.
The design encourages users
to reconnect with the river, the
community, and most importantly
the rich industrial heritage of Carrie
Furnace. While a physical connection
is provided to Carrie Furnace,
repetition of elements and industrial
materials will provide a strong link
between the newly developed site
and the past. The large central open
space serves as a focal point in the
design. The space incorporates a
stormwater/rhizofiltration park to
provide the a gathering space that
is educational and an asset to the
community.
a’
ah
ela
riv
b
er
RESIDENTIAL
MIXED-USE
CIVIC
CENTER
a
site program
• Mixed-use development
incorporating residential,
commercial, and retail uses.
• Cooridors - pedestrian, complete
street, riparian that run throughout
the site to promote connectedness
av
• Open spaces - promote gathering,
social interaction, and connection
to the river and surrounding
communities
en
ue
id
rankin pennsylvania
8th
ge
E.
ra
nk
in
br
• Stormwater Infrastructure incorporated throughout the design
as asset to the community
vision
Building #
In its current state, the Carrie Furnace site leaves it rich industrial history buried within a disconnected and isolated landscape. The site
currently exists as a void in the urban fabric, a piece that must be replaced to revitalize the surrounding neighborhoods that have been
degrading since the loss of industry. As a small piece in a larger network of post-industrial sites, the redevelopment of Carrie
Furnace is imperative in revitalizing local economies, relinking people with nature, and reestablishing ecological processes.
The resurgence of public space along the Monongahela River provides vast opportunities for the city of Pittsburgh and those living in the
adjacent communities. The rehabilitation of the site will serve as a template for brownfield remediation while carefully blending economic,
ecological, recreational, and historical uses. Carrie Furnace offers a world of opportunities but is currently constrained by physical
limitations. The site is disconnected from the river and the surrounding landscape and its historical significance is lost amongst these
physical barriers. My vision for the site will capitalize on the opportunities presented by the location of the site, the potential to utilize the
Monongahela River as an asset, and the potential to regenerate the historical significance through the design of the site. The design will
provide visitors with the opportunity to reconnect with history, the river, and nature as the ecological processes are improved along the
river and within the site. Community and public space will seamlessly integrate residential and commercial uses to promote a sustainable
development.
extend/expand
Relinking Carrie Furnace with surrounding elements is the driving force behind the design. The design will extend pedestrian corridors
to the furnaces and the river where people can reconnect with these historical elements visually and physically. The historically important
connection to Homestead Works will be preserved through the conversion of the Hot Metal Bridge to a pedestrian corridor that connects the
site to the already redeveloped Homestead site. This strengthened connection that has been unused for many years will expand the Rivers
of Steel Heritage network by relinking the sites that once functioned together. The connection to the Three Rivers Heritage Trail will extend
the experience along the Monongahela River that once functioned as an industrial corridor. The site will strive to connect to surrounding
communities through public transportation and multimodal access. A pedestrian connection to Rankin that was used during the era of iron
production will be preserved to evoke a historical experience for pedestrians entering the site. Together these connections will work together
relink the site to the surrounding urban fabric while also connecting the local communities to the historical significance of the site and other
sites along the Monongahela.
design process
entropy
juxtaposition
depopulation
The design process began with inventory and analysis of current and historical functions of the site and surrounding landscape.
Understanding the historical significance of the site and how it related to the industrial history of Pittsburgh was necessary before beginning
design. Objects on site, a local cultural phenomenon, and an ecological pattern were used to derive inspiration for the design. The
words entropy, juxtaposition, and depopulation were graphically abstracted to provide form and shape to begin the design. As the design
progressed the idea of juxtaposition became more prevalent and stood out amongst the other areas of inspiration. A relationship between
linear and organic forms connects areas within the site to the existing landscape and provides a changing experience for users just as
industry changed the landscape that once existed.
Footprint Sq. Foot
Total Stories
Retail Stories
Comm. Stories
Residential Stories
Civic Stories
1 32774.65 7 1 3 3 0
2 14570.67 5 1 1 3 0
3 12368.42 5 1 1 3 0
4a 34973.36 4 1 3 0 0
4b 31768.45 1 0 1 0 0
5 4762.96 4 1 0 3 0
6 8883.56 4 1 1 2 0
7 16898.25 4 1 1 2 0
8a 24130.7 3 1 2 0 0
8b 20255.79 1 0 0 1 0
9 25349.16 7 1 3 3 0
10a 23847.22 4 1 2 1 0
10b 21063.04 1 0 0 1 0
11a 25724.98 3 2 1 0 0
11b 22251.49 2 0 0 2 0
12 15936.42 4 1 1 2 0
13 11958.83 4 0 0 4 0
14 10908.91 3 0 0 3 0
15 11958.83 4 1 0 3 0
16 16756.96 5 0 2 3 0
17a 24246.19 5 0.5 4.5 0 0
17b 21628.76 2 0 2 0 0
18 16735.5 4 1 0 3 0
19a 32361.08 4 0 0 4 0
19b 22533.93 1 0 0 1 0
20a 37056.44 5 0.75 4.25 0 0
20b 31141.99 3 0 3 0 0
21a 281255 0.5 4.5 0 0
0
21b 21885.38 2 0 2 0 0
22a 35557.72 4 0.5 3.5 0 0
22b 32763.76 2 0 2 0 0
23a 40926.839 4 0 0 0 4
23b 36755.91 1 0 0 0 1
23c 35063.54 1 0 0 0 1
24 19118.88 4 0.5 0 3.5 0
25a 30883.16 4 0.5 0.5 3 0
25b 26851.46 2 0 2 0 0
26 20094.36 8 1 4 3 0
27 11808.16 5 1 1 3 0
28 7914.38 5 1 0 4 0
29a 24041.39 3 1 0 2 0
29b 19118.88 1 0 0 1 0
30a 16372.56 3 1 0 2 0
30b 13656.34 1 0 0 1 0
31a 37656.21 3 0 1 2 0
31b 29546.81 2 0 0 2 0
32a 27495.14 3 0.75 0 2.25 0
32b 20367.57 1 0 0 1 0
33 18005.01 4 0 0 4 0
34 12860.73 3 0 0 3 0
35 12015.77 3 0 0 3 0
36a 21294.36 3 0 0 3 0
36b 12015.77 1 0 0 1 0
aerial perspective
1
2
5
8
3
4
10
6
7
15
11
12
14
9
17
16
18
13
20
21
19
22
26
23
site calculations
28
24
DWELLING UNITS PER ACRE:
21
FLOOR AREA RATIO: 1:1.12
RESIDENTIAL SQ. FT :
1700986.32
COMMERCIAL SQ. FT : 1476004.45
RETAIL SQ. FT: 512506.46
TOTAL: 3689497.23
RESIDENTIAL PARKING: 2,385 SPACES
MIXED-USE PARKING:
7,954 SPACES
OPEN SPACE: 29.8%
CENTER DISTRICT: 10.8%
25
29
31
27
30
32
33
35
34
36
support graphics
vehicular cirulation
pedestrian
open green/
civic plaza
monongahela
river
stormwater
hot metal
pedestrial
bridge
complete
street
pedestrian
corridor
planting
buffer
riverfront park
open space
structures
(historic landmark)
SECTION A - A’
base
monongahela
river
pocket
park
riverfront park
SECTION B - B’
pedestrian
corridor
complete
street
planting
buffer

2. corridors
Scale: 1”= 30’
pedestrian corridor
0
30
60
120
mixed-use building
concrete sidewalk
corten steel arbor
moveable cafe seating
green wall
connected flow-through
stormwater planters
limestone pavers
exposed slag aggregate
concrete paving band
native plant
material
Perspective view showing a typical pedestrian corridor between buildings. These spaces exist throughout the the site to promote a connected
and walkable community. These spaces lead to major landmarks and nodes on site that urge users to reconnect with nature, each other, and
the rich industrial history of Carrie Furnace.
seating benches
graphic writing
As Chris enters the pedestrian corridor he is greeted by a mix of restaurants, cafés, and retail shops. In the distance he again recognizes
Carrie Furnace as the detached focal point of the corridor. He takes notice to the distinctive paving pattern that yields a juxtaposing character
and it urges him to move into the space. Like the complete street, the same materials are repeated within this corridor to provide a connection
to a rich industrial heritage. Large green walls near the edge of the corridor help soften the urban landscape as the space transitions from a
sidewalk to a place of passive recreation and comfort. He walks, weaving in and out of the retail shops taking in all of the new opportunities
the development has provided. Outside he finds one of the many seating benches to be vacant and decides to take a short break. Above
him the ceiling plane is defined by shade trees creating a sense of escape and tranquility within the larger urban environment. He feels very
relaxed and he looks down at the vegetation in the nearby planter and notices there is water sitting amongst the plants. These stormwater
planters look different than others he has seen in other areas of Pittsburgh. They are shallow and more accessible to people offering an
opportunity to interact with the plants. All around him people are relaxing on the seating benches, eating and being social while making use
of the moveable seating provided within the space. Most people are using the corridor as a destination but some people are just passing
through the space as they go elsewhere on the site. In the distance to his left he sees the large central open space and civic plaza and to the
right is an extension of the corridor leading pedestrians to the museum at the Furnaces. Standing up from his short break he feels recharged
and ready to continue to the museum. He continues through the corridor and crosses the street into the corridor extending to Carrie Furnace.
He passes a pocket park where children are running and playing while their parents sit close by. He works his way to Carrie Furnace where a
linear pedestrian plaza defines the entrance to the museum.
parallel parking/
food truck event parking
bus shelter and
covered bike parking
phytoremediation
meadow
open green
reclaimed
wood seating bench
cor-ten
steel I-beam
limestone pavers
concrete walk
riverfront corridor
The riverfront park runs the length of the site providing ample open space for recreational activities. The promenade parallels the Monongahela
River and allows pedestrians to visually connect with the river and the former Homestead Works site across the river. The park is rendered in
industrious materials to provide an aesthetic quality that ties the new development to the sites industrial heritage.
After visiting the heritage museum Chris decided to explore the newly developed riverfront. He enjoys walking along the riverfront on the
curvilinear paths that grow and shrink within each space. Mounded earth forms frame views of the river and create intimate spaces along
the riverfront promenade. As he moves through the spaces he realizes that there are linear connections that cut through the earth forms.
These connections are lines of force that extend to the river and reconnect people to the riverfront. He uses one of the connections to get
down to the promenade. He sees the Hot Metal Bridge towering in the background. He feels as if the rustic industrial quality of the bridge
fits well within this newly developed landscape almost as if the site has rejuvenated the bridge. He sees people crossing the bridge on
bike and foot. Most of the people are coming to Carrie Furnace from Homestead, an area that Chris knows shares a historically significant
connection with Carrie Furnace. He notices materials incorporated within the riverfront park are hard, rustic, and emphasize the industrial
nature of the site. Although the materials are not typical in a modern landscape they are necessary to tell the story of the site. Chris walks the
promenade passing many people sitting on the seating walls and interacting with the plants that are growing amongst the seating areas. As he
approaches the bridge he sees a large gathering of people on a pier extending into the water. He joins the crowd and finds the pier above the
Monongahela River relaxing and also historically significant. As he looks across the river he sees boats and kyakers sharing the river but most
importantly to his right he sees the Homestead Works site. Most people around him had no idea that there was a connection between the two
sites before Carrie Furnace was redeveloped.
rain leader from
green roof
concrete walk
Flow-through planters are implemented within the
pedestrian corridor and along the complete street. Capturing
runoff with stormwater planters reduces peak flow rates
and reintroduces a more natural hydrologic cycle. Native
plant material provides opportunities for water uptake and
evapotranspiration. Overflow from the planters enters a
cistern for reuse in other locations on the site.
max. 6” ponding depth
flow-through planter
material palette/textures
native plant material
concrete seating
wall w/ planters
reclaimed wood
riverfront promenade
earth
mounding
formal
tree bosque
concrete wall
overlook pier
graphic writing
limestone pavers
irrigation pump
exposed slag
aggregate concrete
bike lane
Scale: 1”= 10’
local demolition
materials reused as
aggregate
subbase
RIVER
18” amended
planting medium
MONONGAHELA
perforated drain
pipe to storage cistern
40
impermeable liner
20
concrete planter
box and footer
10
stormwater planter
orchard
pedestrian scale dark
sky compliant lighting
moveable
cafe seating
continuous
stormwater planters
0
bus stop
transportation center
complete street
limestone paver bands
reclaimed wood
Graywater from mixed-use buildings and surface runoff is collected and stored in an underground cistern. Water is pumped back into the
buildings for reuse and it will also be used irrigate the landscape. Reusing graywater will reduce potable water use and reduce the cost of water
used throughout the Carrie Furnace development.
overflow to storm drain
CISTERN
concrete
water reuse
trench drain
water reuse
cor-ten steel
surface runoff
stormwater
49’ roadw
ay and par
k
overflow
ing
5’
stormw
ate
planter
r
5’ bike
lane
10’ sidew
alk

3. open space
Scale: 1”= 30’
civic plaza & recreation space
0
30
60
120
a’
f
d
h
g
b
e
c
b
b’
a
a
concept statement
design spaces
open green space provides an area
a. Theactive recreational activities as well as
for
Derived from the original concept development stage of the project, the concept for the civic plaza/park ties
together pattern, form, and function. The idea of juxtaposition is evident in the design where a mounded,
naturalistic edge meets the defined linear pattern of the rest of the plaza. The pattern along the complete is
repeated in the plaza to blend the environment of both spaces. Ideally, the complete street will function as an
extension of the plaza and the social life of both spaces will be integrated. Connectedness is a theme relavent
throughout the entire site and the plaza design strives to create conections to adjacet spaces. The pedestrian
bridge connects the plaza to the Hot Metal Bridge and a major transportation route along the south bank of the
Monongahela. Circulation patterns lead pedestrians to a central space that extends across the road and into the
riverfront park. Sustainibility is a key aspect in the design of the plaza and all stormwater is collected, stored,
and reused for the water feature and irrigation on site. Local materials of steel, stone, concrete, and reclaimed
wood are used to preserve the rich industrial history of the site while also creating an aesthetically pleasing
environment.
planting plan details
feature provides a
c. The interactive water adults alike. Clean play
area for children and
large events. The space is planted with
native turf grass to reduce maintanene
costs and provide lush groundcover fit for
human interaction.
stormwater is pumped from an underground
cistern into the water feature and runs off
into the filtration water feature where it is
recollected.
filtration water feature
b. The stormwater runoff and is cleansed by
collects surface
pedestrian bridge links the
d. The Metal Bridge and the bicycleplaza to the
Hot
network
a natural filtration system. Excess water is
stored in an underground cistern for reuse
on site
central
as a
space
e. The also as space funtionsspace gatheringthe
and
a transitional
between
f.
of the greater Pittsburgh area. The bridge
provides a direct link to Homestead Works,
another redeveloped industrial site.
plaza and adjacent areas. The space is lined with
tall cor-ten steel light features that define the axis
bisecting the site and extending into the riverfront
park.
Urban forest areas are repeated throughout the
plaza. These pedestrian scale environments offer
more a more intimate location within the plaza.
The poplar trees extract contaminants from the
soil and help combat the heat island effect
and visual
g. A mounded edge providesand adjacent
buffer between the plaza
road. A natural, organic planting design
contrasts the strict geometry of the
plaza and provides seasonal interest.
f.
The open spaces in the plaza
encourage social interaction as people
move through the space. These
spaces will also serve as vendor
spaces on particular days.
site program
• Passive and active recreational space
• Urban forest to promote transpiration
and reduce the heat island effect
• Open green space for large events and
active recreation
• Visible stormwater management and
interactive water feature
• Stormwater storage and reuse
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
HS
140 sf
EH
169 sf
EH
180 sf
DB
73 sf
CY
LD
Pieces from the full planting plan showing the planting strategy for the
mounded edge on the south edge of the plaza. The naturalistic planting
design provides contrast to the strict geometry of the plaza.
Sheet
CS
270 sf
CE
116 sf
HS
222 sf
CS
225 sf
CS
146 sf
DB
80 sf
EH
180 sf
DB
85 sf
JO
3
CI
3
AG
46 sf
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
HS
135 sf
CS
119 sf
CE
187 sf
CS
196 sf
SA
57 sf
CS
203 sf
CS
226 sf
CS
226 sf
SA
31 sf
CS
111 sf
DB
26 sf
CS
226 sf
SH
16 sf
CS
203 sf
CK
138 sf
CE
44 sf
CS
226 sf
CS
226 sf
CS
226 sf
Proj. #
Detailed Landscape Plan 3
L-3
CS
131 sf
CS
193 sf
DB
80 sf
HS
169 sf
CS
240 sf
CE
332 sf
HS
215 sf
Client:
AG
58 sf
RS
36 sf
DB
91 sf
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
SA
48 sf
match line a
RS
46 sf
DB
20 sf
Location:
CE
104 sf
EH
116 sf
Designer:
SA
217 sf
SA
17 sf
1
CI
5
Date:
EH
197 sf
Sheet
HS
117 sf
RS
24 sf
SH
14 sf
DB
63 sf
CY
LD
SA
102 sf
JO
3
SA
16 sf
DB
17 sf
CE
230 sf
SH
50 sf
CE
367 sf
CS
113 sf
CS
216 sf
CI
3
JO
5
EH
243 sf
CS
216 sf
CS
191 sf
CS
216 sf
EH
237 sf
CK
147 sf
SH
33 sf
SH
61 sf
CS
191 sf
HS
141 sf
SA
231 sf
CE
150 sf
HS
195 sf
CI
3
RS
84 sf
CS
126 sf
SA
99 sf
RS
62 sf
CK
92 sf
Proj. #
DB
61 sf
HS
109 sf
2
Detailed Landscape Plan 4
CS
286 sf
L-3
CE
381 sf
The water feature serves as the focal point of the plaza. Water is collected in the stormwater filtration area and is cleansed and reused in the interactive water feature. The interactive water feature
combines natural elements and materials to provide a play area for children.
Detailed Landscape Plan 5
1
L-4
CS
226 sf
CS
203 sf
CS
131 sf
CK
94 sf
SA
163 sf
EH
182 sf
JO
5
DB
128 sf
CE
177 sf
Carrie Furnace
CS
203 sf
match line b
match line a
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
CS
226 sf
AG
103 sf
HS
147 sf
EH
143 sf
DB
129 sf
RS
44 sf
SH
32 sf
CS
131 sf
CS
119 sf
SH
23 sf
SA
171 sf
HS
92 sf
CE
114 sf
CS
174 sf
Detailed Landscape Plan 6
2
3
L-4
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
SH
133 sf
CS
216 sf
CI
3
CS
216 sf
Carrie Furnace
Designer:
Client:
DB
66 sf
EH
349 sf
RS
63 sf
Location:
HS
217 sf
CE
108 sf
SH
172 sf
phytoremediation plant pallete
Plants were picked based on aesthetic qualities, the ability to process heavy metals, PCB’s, and other contaminants left behind
by past industrial use, and the ability to manage and cleanse stormwater.
Detailed Landscape Plan 7
L-4
section a-a’
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
walk
Andropogon gerardii
Dryopteris erythrosora
Carex pennsylvanica
section b-b’
raised edge to provide privacy
within the park
walk
Scale: 1”= 10’
0
10
20
walk
open green space for active recreation and gathering.
space is large enough to hold large events or two small
events simultaneously
walk
stormwater filtration
walk
stormwater filtration
CISTERN
excess water drains to underground
cistern where it is stored and reused in the
interactive water feature
40
Betula nigra
flow-through
planter
open plaza space.
bike
flow-through
planter
roadway with bike lanes both ways
mounded edge creates buffer
between plaza and road. terraced
seating walls are incorporated along
the edge face the plaza
Robinia pseudoacacia
Iris versicolor
walk
bike
Populus deltoides
bike
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
SA
168 sf
CS
187 sf
Date:
RS
102 sf
match line b
CS
191 sf
Rudbeckia subtomentosa