Industrial Arts Workshop Facility Master Plan

INDUSTRIAL ARTS WORKSHOP Vision for the Future

Facility Master Plan

January 2023

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

IAW would like to thank the many generous donors who have made our success in Hazelwood possible.

Included in our progress is the amazing contribution of staff, Board, founding members, artists, teachers, and, of course, our students who continue to validate our purpose with their enthusiasm and ownership of their work.

With special thanks to the Hazelwood Initiative for ongoing support and guidance.

Visioning and Feasibility study made possible with support of Bridgeway Capital and the McCune Foundation.

DEVELOPED FOR: Industrial Arts Workshop

POWERED BY evolve environment::architecture

Christine Mondor, Principal

Harisa Martinos, Designer

DJ Bryant, Designer

IN COLLABORATION WITH Palo Alto Partners, LLC

Tom Hardy, Business Consultant

Industrial Arts Workshop Board of Directors

Tim Kaulen, Executive Director

Kate Tunney

Carrie DiFiore

Ken Moir

WHO WE ARE

The Industrial Arts Workshop

IAW is an arts organization that helps urban youth thrive. Through the creative process of hands-on sculpture design and welding, students develop skills and have experiences that help prepare them for the workplace – whether that be in welding, another trade, the arts, or some other field all together. Youth who complete our programs will be stronger, more resilient, and prepared for a bright future.

The Industrial Arts Workshop (IAW) is a place where youth thrive.

As a leader in youth arts education in the Greater Pittsburgh area, with an initial focus on Hazelwood, IAW brings youth in grades 9-12 together to learn the art of welding. IAW acts as a launchpad for partnerships with local high schools, regional industry partners, and local residents.

History

The seeds of IAW were planted in the Summer of 2014 when founder Tim Kaulen, a professional artist specializing in the creation of large public sculptures, recruited a few colleagues to hold the first Mobile Sculpture Workshop at Carrie Furnace, a derelict industrial brown-field in Pittsburgh.

Together with community partners, Mobile Sculpture Workshops from 2014 through 2018 engaged residents, created public art from recycled materials, and installed public sculptures in five neighborhoods around the city.

After five years of offering the workshop from our truck and trailer “lab,” we decided it was time to think about establishing some roots, and believed we could be more effective and have greater impact if we had a permanent home base.

New Beginnings

In June of 2018, one of our partners, the Hazelwood Initiative purchased four connecting buildings, with one to serve as our new home. In 2019, our focus turned to establishing our program as a 501(c)(3) corporation, branding ourselves as the Industrial Arts Workshop, building a Board of Directors, completing demolition of the new space, and raising $220,000 for renovations.

The COVID-19 pandemic slowed construction work but renovations began in spring 2021, and professionally equipped welding booths are now available for training our students.

Where We Are Now

Our goal is that the young people we work with will learn hard and soft skills that prepare them for jobs or for further training in welding or related fields. But at our core, we are an arts organization. We teach welding through the lens of a creative arts process. IAW’s team of professional Teaching Artists and partners designed the curriculum and facilitate our programs based on universal Human-Centered Design concepts, Culturally Responsive Education standards, and most importantly, the creative process of making art.

OUR VISION

We imagine a future that continues to transform community lives through art and welding.

OUR MISSION

The Industrial Arts Workshop will inspire artistic literacy in the city of Pittsburgh, advancing the understanding and process of sculpture-making artists and their work.

OUR PROGRAMS

Youth Programming

IAW will continue and expand upon the success of the Mobile Sculpture Workshop by providing a unique arts-driven experience to the youth of Pittsburgh. Students experiencing an arts education tend to have higher GPA’s and lower drop-out rates.

Hazelwood Engagement

With a new workshop located in Hazelwood, IAW has the opportunity to serve as a permanent resource and hub for the community, helping to address the needs for access, professional arts exposure, and technical training programs.

Workforce Development

Skilled welders are in growing demand in the region. The artistic programming of the IAW will expose students to potential careers in welding, fabrication, and technical fields. We anticipate partnering with local trade schools to help feed their pipeline for students.

Artist Resource

IAW intends to foster arts collaboration by inviting artists from across the country to share studio space in the Hazelwood facility, showcase their work, and assist in teaching their craft and skills to program participants, both youth and adults.

FACILITY MASTER PLAN STRATEGY OUR FUTURE

INCREASE PROGRAMMING to serve more artists and makers in the Hazelwood community and beyond and to build career pipelines for youth and young adults in the region.

IMPROVE PERFORMANCE of IAW’s facility through reconfiguring the floor plan and retrofitting the envelope to lower operating costs in support of our mission.

EXPAND ENGAGEMENT with a home that hosts strategic partnerships and programs, broadening our curriculum, and increasing our impact.

INCREASE PROGRAMMING

IMPROVE PERFORMANCE

EXPAND ENGAGEMENT

serve more artists and makers and create career pipelines

retrofitted facilities support artistic production and decrease operating costs

partners, projects, and programs broaden engagement and increase impact

INDUSTRIAL ARTS WORKSHOP

Milestones

WORKSHOP

2016 STEEL TOWN SHOWDOWN

2017

LARIMER AFRICAN HEALING GARDEN ARCHWAY

Students created public art for the Larimer neighborhood’s urban garden

2016

2018

Students take mobile workshop to Carrie Furnace for welding event

2018

PUBLIC SCULPTURE HAZELWOOD INSTALLATION

Students and staff present their second public sculpture in Hazelwood

WITHIN 5 YEARS, STUDENTS HAVE PRODUCED PUBLIC SCULPTURES FOR 5 DIFFERENT PITTSBURGH NEIGHBORHOODS

2014

2014 MOBILE SCULPTURE

TRUCK AND TRAILER LAB opens to greater Pittsburgh communities

2018 WORKSHOPS MOVE TO HAZELWOOD FACILITY

With the help of Hazelwood Initiative, the mobile sculpture workshop expands its space into the current rented facility on Herbert Way

2020

2019 DEER HEAD FUNDRAISER

Some artist teachers and student-made sculptures like this deer head helped raise money to support similar future programs

SINCE THEN, IAW IS SUPPORTED BY:

• 4 STAFF MEMBERS

• 7 INSTRUCTORS+INTERNS

• 9 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2019 CREATION OF THE INDUSTRIAL ARTS WORKSHOP AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The IAW became an official 501(c)(3) with a growing board of passionate directors

2022

2022 MEETINGS FOR FACILITY MASTER PLAN BEGINS

Consultants met with the IAW board, students, potential partners, and community members to a vision for the future facility

INDUSTRIAL ARTS WORKSHOP

Growth Projections

Core Programs:

• SWB

• ASWL

Special Programs:

• Reimagine Reentry

• Passport Academy

• Garden Trellis Workshop

• Winchester Thurston Camp

New Programs:

• Mobile Welding Workshops

• Guest Artist Workshops

New Partners:

• In-School Partners

• OST Educational Partners

• Workforce Partners

New Equipment:

• Plasma Cutter

4 welding booths

• New TIG station

EXISTING FACILITY USE SCHEDULE

FUTURE FACILITY USE SCHEDULE

Current unused time between programs within the facility shows opportunities for additional programming to occur. With enough space, another opportunity is for programs to occur concurrently. Palo Alto Partners’ facility planning and programmatic growth study cited the lack of physical space as an impediment for program expansion. While the current facility provides substantial space for existing operations, expanding the workshop into the mezzanine and annex will build momentum for programming and staff.

Short-term rentals for public programming (i.e. corporate retreat w/ welding activity) are additional opportunities suggested by some stakeholders. These functions would also benefit from the additional space in the annex.

INDUSTRIAL ARTS WORKSHOP Plan for Growth

Since moving our facility to Hazelwood, we have reached some milestones

• Our long-term home became a creative community that provides opportunities for our students growth.

• We have years of successful programming and participant satisfaction.

• We collaborate on workforce training and have partnerships with private industry.

• Our students increase diversity in both arts and the building trades.

• We have a strong brand identity.

• We have a strengthened Board of Directors.

From a community member enrolled in a workshop to handson instruction with youth, to partner meetings, to artists-inresidence, our renovated facility will enhance a user’s experience. Physical improvements for the existing facility enable growth and future expansion to the adjacent building. Consistent with best practice, IAW plans to capitalize a facility reserve account in conjunction with the purchase of the building.

A collective effort of students, board members, consultants, and potential partners contributed to numerous meetings during the summer and fall of 2022 to help inform the plan for growth. Two phases will bring an organized approach to facility improvements. Phase one would ensure success and organizational stability through continuing life-changing educational programs, arts and workforce partner relationship building, and spatial function maximization. Once the facility makes its first round of improvements, purchasing it and the adjacent building is the turning point to phase two. The current facility is enhanced, and adjoining building two becomes maximized for integral support space.

0-5 YEARS

PHASE ONE MAXIMIZE

Maximize Interior Function

Facility is improved with a series of small projects that are integrated into the curriculum, such as the construction of an entry vestibule, a mezzanine stair, and mezzanine completion. Projects are instructional, functional, and expressive. This is predictable and scheduled with the programming.

Expand Equipment

Additional or upgraded equipment expands the type of instruction or the number of students. Equipment in this phase would be placed in the open welding workshop towards the rear entrance.

Improve Curb Appeal

Facade improvements begin in order to bring more visibility to the facility from the street. Improvements include a mural representing the organization’s mission.

Implement Partnership Programming

Additional partnerships and programming will help maximize the use of the space each week both on the ground floor and mezzanine.

Purchase Facility and Adjacent Building

Demand for manufacturing space of the type IAW requires has increased pushing prices for these buildings higher. In the Pittsburgh market, vacancy rates are expected to fall and prices are expected to continue to increase for industrial properties (Source: Jones Lang LaSalle Pittsburgh Industrial Insight Q3 2022). Attaining long-term control of a space will help continue operations smoothly.

PHASE TWO EXPAND

Enhance Building 1

Continue making additional improvements to the main facility as programs adjust to new space and help connect to adjacent building. Enhancements include separating the mezzanine with administration and artist workspaces.

Expand Building 2

5+ YEARS

When the organization is stable and demand for programming is established, consider using the adjacent building to expand “clean” spaces like classrooms and non-instructional spaces such as offices, a break room, and other facilities.

Envelope Improvements

Retrofits to the facades and roof will improve the comfort, safety, operational costs, and community presence of IAW. This work combines art(incorporation of sculptures into the facade system), sustainability (insulation and solar panels), and function (overhead doors, better visibility, integrated sculptural benches and awnings).

The Greater Community

With this vision, our community within and surrounding the Industrial Arts Workshop will have access to workforce development opportunities and programming evolving around welding, equipping younger residents with the ability to enter a highly needed industry while also supporting the arts.

Industrial Arts Workshop operates at the intersection of arts, community development, and vocational training. The combination of these elements makes IAW unique in the local nonprofit sector where the most similar organizations are focused on only one or two of these elements. This unique combination is IAW’s value proposition.

During focus groups, several participants remarked that they didn’t view IAW as simply a workforce or artistic program, but rather a program in which many paths were possible based upon the interests of the participant. Several stakeholders supported this idea by noting that IAW reaches a diverse group of community members who are typically underrepresented in both artistic and vocational training programs.

There are several other non-profit organizations locally that focus on one of these areas, but relatively few that span all three. A sample of local organizations that span artistic and workforce development appears below.

• MCG Youth & Arts (Manchester)

25 Carrick Ave. (Carrick)

Steeltown / WQED Film Academy (Oakland)

• Pittsburgh Glass Center (Friendship & Garfield)

Being now physically located in Hazelwood, IAW anticipates serving as a permanent resource and hub for the community, helping address the need for professional arts exposure, digital fabrication, and technical training programs.

This aligns strongly with Hazelwood Initiative’s (HI) mission to “build a stronger Hazelwood through inclusive community development.” The Greater Hazelwood Plan also recommends opportunities to address barriers to

further education and training and employment (44).

The past 5 years of IAW outreach in the community have revealed two areas of deficiency; access and advocacy for area youth. IAW has a unique opportunity to expand its operations and become an asset in the Hazelwood community as the neighborhood looks to grow and stabilize.

Based off of meetings between Palo Alto Partners and a variety of workforce development organizations, there is promise of future partnerships happening both within and outside of the facility. Some strong existing partnerships in Hazelwood include: Hazelwood Initiative, Propel, and Bridgeway Capital. Some of these conversations suggested opportunities for short-term rental related to programming which would benefit from facility improvements and expansion into the mezzanine area and neighboring building. In the short-term, IAW plans to hold pop-up programs throughout the year with different partners.

Sample Workforce Partnership Opportunity:

Partner Agency: Reimagine Reentry Potential Program: IAW provides an intensive 2-day training. The first day focuses on safety and tools. The second day is a hands-on workshop.

Goal: To provide exposure to a potential employment pathway.

Frequency: 2-day series would repeated 7 times a year for each 10-12 person cohort.

The Facility

5434 Herbert Way

The current layout of the IAW facility poses limitations as well as significant opportunities to the organization’s aspirational goals. The open floor plan brings opportunity for expansion. Access to loading on both front and rear entrances is another asset for both the remodeling process and while classes are running. Consultant and Architect evolveEA noted deficiencies as well as desired functionality for potential future programming.

Recent improvements were made in 2022, such as the installation of new garage doors.

By 2024, new equipment will be available for students, making way for a digital fabrication lab. Based on market research by Palo Alto Partners, warehouse comparables are selling for $95$100/SF, and IAW has the option to purchase this building for $25/ SF. Even after accounting for IAW’s tenant improvements, the opportunity to purchase is at a below market price, making this building a strong space to build upon.

IAW is not just a facility but a CREATIVE CAMPUS where the community and partners are invited to take part in learning the art of welding.

EXISTING SPACE + FUTURE NEEDS

Ground Floor

01 Workshop

• Front of facility lacks visibility from the street and does not represent the IAW brand

• No existing separate meeting space that could take place during instruction

• Welding bays do not support enough students

02 Bathrooms

• Not enough required bathrooms

03 Break Room

• Support space is not protected from noise and dirt

04 Shop Tools + Storage

• Not enough storage space to organize and condense tools, supplies, gear, and waste

Mezzanine

05 Incomplete Mezzanine

• Existing crane system cannot safely support how space is currently used

• Lighting can improve below and above mezzanine floor

Inadequate storage

PHASE 01: Maximize 0-5

INDUSTRIAL ARTS WORKSHOP FACILITY

PHASE 01: WORKSHOP RENOVATION

0-5 YEAR MAIN WORKSHOP I FACING SOUTH

PHASE 02: Expand 5+

INDUSTRIAL ARTS WORKSHOP FACILITY

5+ YEAR MAIN WORKSHOP I FACING NORTH

5+ YEAR ANNEX I VIEW FROM ENTRANCE

creative welding sculpture lab

INDUSTRIAL ARTS WORKSHOP

Facility: Vision for the Future

artist-in-residence brainstorming meetings

welcoming entrance

INDUSTRIAL ARTS WORKSHOP FACILITY

ENVELOPE: Vision for the Future

INDUSTRIAL ARTS WORKSHOP Envelope Improvements

Existing Facade: Envelope Improvements

The existing facade is concrete block. There is no visibility into the space and signage is minimal. The entrance is understated.

Phase 01: IMPROVE CURB APPEAL + TELL OUR STORY

Grab attention from the street and engage the immediate context through iconic facade graphics that communicate IAW’s programming and community culture.

Phase 02: IMPROVE PERFORMANCE

An applied steel structure will serve as an armature for future sculpture integration.

An applied steel structure also enables insulation and panels to improve thermal performance and to create a more durable finish. Lower energy use enables the installation of rooftop solar panels.

The facade’s kit-of-parts extends to the new main entry in the Annex Building. Art can be integrated across both facades to boost the presence of IAW.