Pittsburgh AIA Young Architects Studio Competition2011 HONOR AWARD
Obesity is a huge epidemic in Pittsburgh, and growing fast. Exercise
City is an attempt to reverse the local epidemic by empowering exercise
through “Wellness Stations” located along Pittsburgh public staircases.
"Wellness Stations" include benches contoured to the body, optimizing
stretching and yoga positions, as well as structural elements that
create optimal situations for strength training and workouts. For those
biking, a walkable bike ramp along the railing of each staircase assists
in expanding bicycle routes throughout the city, especially in extreme
hilly conditions. Finally, one of the more unique features of Exercise
City is that it completely disengages from grid power through the use of
piezoelectric stairs (stairs that create/store power when people use
them) and solar powered roofs, coupled with the use of local and
sustainable materials.