Join DRS as we celebrate each decade of our 60 years of design excellence!
1969 -- | -- Three Rivers Stadium -- | ---- McKeesport Hospital -- | - - Two Allegheny Center -- | -- -- Alcoa -- | -- PNC Bank -- | -- 1978
Three Rivers Stadium
The Stadium Authority of the City of Pittsburgh selected Deeter & Ritchey (architects) – Baker – Osborn (engineers) for the design of the new stadium located on an 84-acre redevelopment area on the North Shore of the Allegheny River. The original, unique design of the stadium featured an oblique shape which was open to views of the City.  When bid, the project came in over budget. It was determined that there were many economic factors as to why this occurred, however one of the key items was the irregularity of the precast concrete structural system which made the design distinctive, but expensive to build.

The stadium was then redesigned using a circular configuration with a regular structural precast system. The stadium had 50,000 seats and could be reconfigured to accommodate baseball, football, concerts and other special events. In addition to regular seating, there were box seats, private suites and the Allegheny Club. It opened on July 16, 1970 when the Pirates hosted the Cincinnati Reds. Three Rivers Stadium was recognized as a special sports venue throughout the country and received a Distinguished Building Award from the Pennsylvania Society of Architects. It has been speculated by many that if the original oblique-shaped design had been built, it would still be in use today.
1969 -- | -- The University of Pittsburgh -- | -- - Waltz Mill -- | -- Hunt Lodge -- | -- Quaker State Oil Refining Corporation -- | -- 1978
Benedum Hall of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh
This 422,000 SF building brought together the seven departments of the School of Engineering into one integrated engineering-oriented structure. The building contains classrooms, an engineering library, offices and laboratory facilities for enrollment of approximately 4,500 students. A two-story, 572-seat auditorium/conference center is connected to the main twelve-story architectural element via a landscaped podium-like structure housing two floors of lab facilities. The contemporary building has a concrete structural system with limestone panels and precast concrete sun shades. The building received a Design Award and a Distinguished Building Award from the Pennsylvania Society of Architects.

1969 -- | -- Westinghouse Nuclear Center - | -- The Pittsburgh Hilton - | - Saint Frances General Hospital -- | -- Seton Hill -- | -- 1978
Westinghouse Nuclear Center, Monroeville, PA
A 198-acre landscaped park was the setting for the Westinghouse Electric Corporation’s largest office complex. It housed 1,500 employees involved in the development of the company’s nuclear fuel and reactor systems.  The building was organized around a four-story, open atrium which extends from the sunken courtyard in the lobby to the skylights at the roof level.  Balconies edge the perimeter circulation of the atrium with two 90’ x 300’ offset office wings flanking the atrium. The facility also included a 30,000 SF computer center, cafeteria, library and conference rooms.  

A reflective mirror-glass facade dramatically highlights the five-story, 350,000 SF building and considerably reduces heat gain and required air conditioning loads. In addition, all building heat was provided through a “Heat-of-Light” recovery process. Together, these features provide maximum energy efficiency and were cited by Owens Corning Fiberglass when it awarded the Nuclear Energy Center its prestigious “Energy Conservation in Building Design” Award.  In addition, the building received a Design Award and First Honor Award from the Pennsylvania Society of Architects.
1969 -- | -- Carnegie Mellon University - | -- Eye and Ear Hospital -- | - Allegheny Center Mall - | - Presbyterian Hospital -- | - 1978
Wean Hall, School of Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University
This eight-story structure, situated on the edge of a steep ravine, completed the original Campus quadrangle plan as envisioned by the late Henry Hornbostel in the early 1900’s.  The massing of this modernistic, poured-in-place structure respects the scale of the other academic buildings that form the quadrangle. A new plaza extended across the end of the mall linking the building to the existing quadrangle. The 325,000 SF building contains faculty offices, laboratories, computer and robotic center, 150-seat auditorium and a skylit, two-story research library. The building received the First Honor Award from the Pennsylvania Society of Architects.

1969 -- | - Harmarville Rehabilitation Center - | - Baltimore Corp of Engineers e- | -- Westmoreland County Museum st | -- 1978
Harmarville Rehabilitation Center, Harmarville, PA
The two-story, 175,000 SF building was planned for 200 beds with a first phase containing 120 beds. The center treats 1,200 inpatients and 2,400 outpatients annually. The concept came to fruition through the collaboration of patients, staff, administration and the architects, which lead to a cutting-edge design for this rehabilitation facility. While the building is well over 600 feet long, the various departments are located so that the patients do not have to travel the entire length until they are able to do so. Patients live in 40-bed unit “pods,” located at intervals along a “main street.” 

Since the main traffic pattern develops between the patient’s room, the dining area and the therapy areas, all patient-oriented activities are on the main floor. Other elements located along the “main street” include admissions, arts & craft area, snack bar, gift shop, laundromat, and barber/beauty shops. The building received the Excellence in Architecture from the Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.  
1969 - | - Social Security Administration Payment Center -- | - United States Postal Services - | - Westminster College | -- 1978
Russell Deeter
Dahl Ritchey
William Sippel
During the 70’s Deeter Ritchey Sippel changed it’s name to Deeter Ritchey Sippel Associates to reflect new ownership and new associates in the firm. In addition to the founding Principals, James Armstrong, James Dowden, Frank Knoble, Lee Minnerly, and Samuel Zionts became stock holders of the firm. Later in the decade Phil Hundley and James Kling were also promoted to ownership. During this period the firm was extremely busy focusing client services in the healthcare, higher education, and corporate fields.
This year, DRS Architects is celebrating 60 years of design excellence in architecture, planning and interior design.  We want to share the six decades of our history with you and thank our clients for their continued support. Please follow us as we celebrate projects completed throughout each of our six decades in business.
Need to catch up? Click the button on the right to read about our first decade, 1959-1968.