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ALCOA Research Center

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1928–1930, Pierre R. L. Hogner and Henry Hornbostel. 600 block Freeport Rd.
  • ALCOA Research Center (HABS)

Henry Hornbostel and ALCOA's in-house architect Pierre Richard Leonard Hogner (c. 1887–1966) designed the limestone-faced research laboratory overlooking the company's plant made of the local industrial, cream-colored Kittanning brick. The central projecting entrance bay with a shallow pediment is decorated with aluminum acroteria and a Greek key motif at the cornice, giving it a monumental presence. Fluted pilasters separate the recessed windows and doors, which have ornate pressed-aluminum spandrels between the floors. To promote ALCOA's products, Hornbostel embellished the interior as well as the exterior with abundant aluminum decoration. The marble-lined lobby's elevator doors were brought from ALCOA's Gulf Building headquarters in downtown Pittsburgh. The Research Laboratory closed in 1986, but other utilitarian buildings in the complex continue in use as shipping and receiving departments for the metals division.

Writing Credits

Author: 
Lu Donnelly et al.
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Data

What's Nearby

ALCOA Aluminum Club
Kensington Arms Apartments (ALCOA/Wear-Ever Building)
Mount St. Peter Roman Catholic Church
Aluminum City Terrace
John Wood Logan House

Citation

Lu Donnelly et al., "ALCOA Research Center", [New Kensington, Pennsylvania], SAH Archipedia, eds. Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley, Charlottesville: UVaP, 2012—, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/PA-01-WE22.

Print Source

Cover: Buildings of PA vol 1

Buildings of Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, Lu Donnelly, H. David Brumble IV, and Franklin Toker. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2010, 221-222.

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