Studio St.Germain Wins at AIA Design Pittsburgh 2021 Awards

“A project that fuses environmental responsibility, aesthetics, and well-being, the Sewickley Tavern embodies our commitment to architecture that improves lives and is designed for the public good.”

Studio St. Germain is honored to have received a Certificate of Merit from the AIA Design Pittsburgh 2021 Awards for the Sewickley Tavern, a 3745 square foot restaurant located on Beaver Street in Sewickley, Pennsylvania. Among the members of the design team involved in the development of the Tavern were Nathan St. Germain (AIA, CPHC, RESET® Air AP) and Benjamin Nahum (Assoc. AIA, CPHC).

A project that fuses environmental responsibility, aesthetics, and well-being, the Sewickley Tavern embodies our commitment to architecture that improves lives and is designed for the public good. The result is a model for buildings that transcends established notions of sustainability.

In addition to stressing energy efficiency, conserving natural resources, and using recycled materials, the Sewickley Tavern prioritizes the health of its users through stringent air-quality features, including real-time monitoring of particulate matter and carbon dioxide. By using advanced filtration and ventilation systems, the Tavern minimizes airborne pollutants, essential measures in a future where Covid remains a threat.

“This project is a great example of responsible design that raises expectations for performance, particularly air quality,” noted a juror on the AIA panel. “It is simple and straightforward, delivering on both esthetics and performance. It maximizes positive impact through thoughtful, integrated design strategies. The use of metrics suggests real potential for learning and advancing sustainability on future projects.”

This is the second time the Sewickley Tavern has been recognized for its unique combination of sustainability and well-being. In 2020, the Sewickley Tavern became the first restaurant in the world to achieve a RESET Air Certification, reflecting our ambition to create human-centric architecture that has a positive social impact as well as a positive environmental impact.

As the world faces increasing challenges from ecological neglect and climate change, the importance of sustainable architecture has never been greater. But the next phase for an architecture committed to responsible design includes optimizing surroundings for the health and wellness of the people who use them and the communities in which they live.

At Studio St. Germain, we strive to create high-performance buildings that emphasize the human factor in design, which, now more than ever, is crucial for our future.