Who?
mossArchitects

Where?
Liberty Bank Building, 6101 Penn Avenue, East Liberty

mossArchitects (formerly the Pittsburgh office of Semple Brown Design which is based in Denver, CO) has been providing design services for twenty-two years, working mostly on urban and infill projects ranging from single family homes to restaurants to office spaces and even theaters. Andrew Moss, one of seven principals of the firm, opened a new Semple Brown office in downtown Pittsburgh in January of 2004; but the space didn't reflect the innovative character of the company and employees, including designers Andrew Moss and Heather Wildman Figley, and office manager Sarah Rossbach. mossArchitects works with clients that "share their conviction that quality design improves their clients' way of life." Andrew feels that Cool Space Locator employees understand this conviction, which is why he trusted CSL to help with the search for a new space that better defines their company. Like many companies with a creative side, he didn't want a run-of-the-mill office space, but one that would be comfortable as well as connected to neighborhood activity.

Like many Pittsburghers, Andrew grew up here and graduated from Carnegie Mellon University, but then moved away to Denver where he worked for 12 years.  He wanted to come back, not just because his family is anchored here, but because "the city has so much opportunity and could be so amazing" that it nearly drives him crazy!  With a great number of pooled resources he believes that Pittsburgh has a lot going for it; Pittsburgh is not like any other city, and the differences excite Andrew.  The natural geography and density creates many design challenges.  According to Andrew, "the more challenging a project is, the more interesting and unique it becomes."

The firm had worked with client East Liberty Development, Inc. on the revitalization of the four blocks surrounding the East Liberty Presbyterian Church (the East Liberty Town Square Project).  Andrew feels that the neighborhood has some of the greatest potential in the City of Pittsburgh - "East Liberty has everything going for it, including the location, access, parking, and the core building infrastructure."