National Aviary

SPRINGBOARD is the Architect of the National Aviary’s $23 million expansion and renovation project, located on Pittsburgh’s North Side. The 56-year old National Aviary is undergoing a complete revitalization, adding in its entirety 50,000sf to the existing facility, and upgrading major portions of the existing infrastructure. Phase 1 of the project – renovating the Main Hall and creating Penguin Point – opened to great acclaim  in May, 2009 . It was a Finalist for a Master Builders’ Association Building Excellence Award  2009.

Phase 2 – dubbed ‘Project Pheonix’  – is about to begin construction with completion in October, 2010. SPRINGBOARD’s Phase 2 design creates an iconic front and welcoming group entry that reflects the National Aviary’s function as a building that houses and celebrates birds. Overall, the goal is to create a more experiential environment that stimulates visitors’ imaginations about birds, nature and the world around us. Programmatically, the design includes new exhibitions, an Avian Theater, Education Center, Gift Shop and Cafe. The design is focused on adding new structures to the existing to create a more unified and cohesive visitor experience.

Project Pheonix is being designed as a green building with an environmental construction goal of a LEED Silver rating.