This is the last in a three-part lecture series that considered aspects of Pittsburgh’s historical built environment and what makes it distinctive. This event will include a short reception to celebrate the end of the series, reflect and share ideas. Join us!

Tuesday, October 27
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Carnegie Museum of Art Theater
4400 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

(Parking: metered street parking is available and in the multi-level parking garage located directly behind the museum.)

$30 per person
This event is limited to 50 participants.

Click here to purchase a ticket.

Pittsburgh’s distinguished skyline has lately become a veritable dumping ground for ill-considered corporate logos with dreadful video screens not far away.

Yet, historically, blending architectural form and illumination, even flashing light, into a corporate identity was an art form for structures such as the Grant Building and the Gulf Tower. When Modernism changed architectural tastes, Westinghouse explored innovation, even as others lost the thread.

Pittsburghers tend to have favorite historic corporate signs, such as for the Clark Bar and Heinz Ketchup, even as others, not to mention any specific law firm, are widely reviled. This lecture explores the fundamental architectural qualities of light-up corporate architecture and signs in Pittsburgh that make the difference between something being pleasing or disastrous.