Synopsis
Pittsburgh Architecture in the Twentieth Century: Notable Modern Buildings and Their Architects by Albert M. Tannler, published in 2013 by the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation, is a pioneering guidebook that offers an in-depth exploration of Pittsburgh’s modern architectural landscape from 1902 to 1999. Written by Tannler, a distinguished architectural historian and former Historical Collections Director at the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation, the book is the first to focus exclusively on twentieth-century buildings in metropolitan Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. It combines scholarly rigor with accessible prose, making it an essential resource for architects, historians, and enthusiasts interested in the evolution of modern architecture in a city known for its industrial heritage and dramatic topography. The book’s richly illustrated pages and detailed narratives highlight 53 extant buildings and structures, alongside three thematic sidebars covering approximately 30 additional structures, many of which are designated as local, state, or national landmarks or are eligible for such recognition.
The book opens with introductory chapters that contextualize the emergence of modern architecture in the United States and its specific manifestations in Pittsburgh. Tannler traces the arrival of modern design in the city from the early twentieth century, a period marked by Pittsburgh’s industrial prominence, through the post-World War II era, culminating in the completion of Point State Park in the 1970s. He explores the diverse meanings of “modern architecture,” from the early influences of the Beaux-Arts and Prairie School to the International Style, Brutalism, and Postmodernism that shaped Pittsburgh’s skyline. Tannler emphasizes how Pittsburgh’s unique geography, economic shifts, and urban renewal efforts—particularly the Pittsburgh Renaissance of the 1950s and 1960s—provided fertile ground for innovative architectural experiments. This period saw the city transform from an industrial powerhouse to a model of postwar urban revitalization, attracting architects of international renown such as Frank Lloyd Wright, I.M. Pei, and Harrison & Abramovitz.
The core of the book is a detailed guide to 53 notable buildings and structures, selected for their embodiment of twentieth-century architectural practice. These range from early modern works like the 1903 Westinghouse Air Brake Company General Office Building in Wilmerding to late-century landmarks like the 1999 PNC Park. Tannler provides comprehensive profiles of each building, detailing its architectural significance, historical context, and the architects behind it. For example, he highlights Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater (1936) and Kentuck Knob (1956), showcasing Wright’s organic architecture tailored to Pittsburgh’s rugged terrain, and Tasso Katselas’s Brutalist designs, such as the Community College of Allegheny County (1960s), which reflect a local modernist vernacular blending brick and concrete. The book also covers civic and cultural projects, such as the Mt. Lebanon Municipal Building (1928–1930), a standout example of Art Deco, and the Alcoa Building (1953), noted for its pioneering use of aluminum cladding. Tannler’s discussions are enriched with insights into the architects’ intentions, the buildings’ adaptations over time, and their current status, noting that some face endangerment while others have been repurposed.
Three thematic sidebars complement the main entries, exploring additional structures that illustrate specific trends in Pittsburgh’s architectural history. These include industrial buildings, religious architecture, and educational facilities, providing a broader perspective on the city’s built environment. For instance, Tannler examines the region’s industrial heritage through structures like the H.J. Heinz Company buildings, designed by Albert Kahn, and discusses the innovative garden suburb of Chatham Village, designed by Ingham & Boyd in the 1930s. The sidebars also address the contributions of lesser-known architects and the impact of Pittsburgh’s immigrant communities on its architectural fabric. Extensive notes, a bibliography, and an index enhance the book’s utility as a research tool, while its high-quality photographs and architectural drawings offer visual depth, allowing readers to appreciate both exterior and interior details.
Tannler’s work is not merely a catalog but a narrative of Pittsburgh’s architectural evolution, reflecting the city’s resilience and adaptability. He underscores the tension between preservation and progress, noting that many of the featured buildings are at risk or have been altered to meet contemporary needs. The book serves as both a celebration of Pittsburgh’s modernist achievements and a call to protect its architectural heritage. Praised for its clarity and depth, it is lauded as an authoritative text that fills a critical gap in the study of Pittsburgh’s twentieth-century architecture, offering a compelling case for the city’s place in the broader history of American modernism.