Floor Plan: Perspective

Integration

The Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad Company moved out of McKees Rocks in the earlier 1970’s; leaving a community without jobs and a large brownfield dividing two larger neighborhoods in their wake. This project aims to begin the development of the southernmost part of the site. Bringing both jobs and land back to McKees Rocks.

Equitable Communities

From the time P&LE owned and operated the site to long after they left, the site has lacked pedestrian friendly areas. The project will utilize the decommissioned railway for a Rails-to-Trails conversion. This new trail will connect communities by an elevated walkway. Additional trails and bike paths will be developed across the site.

Change

The Recycling Center is sized to accommodate future growth in material. Using the recycled material to produce Byblocks may be used in the future development of the site. In the event of climate refugees, Byblock can be used to create housing or in the development of the northern half of the site. Furthering the development of the site and the connectivity of the town to the site.

Discovery

Discovery will be possible throughout the site. From the Educational Center’s exhibits and labs, to the Educational Pathway and the walk through the Recycling Center. Visitors, students, and the community can learn about the recycling process and the benefits it possesses. Stepping out to the commons will provide you with opportunities to learn about natural remediation and the native flora of PA.

Economy

Through Adaptive Reuse, Urban Mining, and Natural remediation, the project will aim to bring the site back to lie. Adaptively reusing three existing buildings on site. Mining materials from buildings labeled for demolition. Bringing life back to the site through natural remediation.

Resources

The material selection for this project primarily stems from recycling the built environment. The Recycling Center will reuse the corrugated steel and structure from an old steel house adjacent to the site. Using this material, the project will be able to house the nearly 60,000ft2 Recycling Center and the Byblock Production Facility. 31 shipping containers are reused and altered to create the Educational Pathway.

Energy

Photovoltaic Panels will be situated on the rooftops of each building, as well as providing shade for the parking lot on the west edge of the site. Altogether, the solar panel array has the potential to produce 1,200 mega-watt hours of electricity per year.

Wellbeing

The site has long been a brownfield dividing the town. Along with the development of the site, another goal of the project has been to give space back to the community. This comes in the form of the Campus Commons. Providing a public space for the community to use, something the town currently lacks.

Water

The project will utilize rainwater harvesting throughout the site. Harvested rainwater will be used in the Byblock Production Facility as steam to bind the plastics together. This can also be used throughout the buildings in the restrooms and for watering the vegetation situated throughout the courtyard. The site has the potential to catch 2.4 million gallons of water per year.

Ecosystems

Along with remediating the site naturally, the project aims to bring native flora back to the site. Natural remediation through mycelium has proven effect in remediating sites quickly, as well as bring native flora back to life. A small grove to the south will be expanded and brought back onto the site. The bioswales will also use native vegetation as a means to mitigate flooding hazards.