Studio St.Germain

08/09/2026

Preserving the past while creating space for the future.

The Sewickley Public Library’s Broadside Terrace project has received the 2026 Architectural Preservation Award from the Sewickley Valley Historical Society!

Designed by Studio St. Germain, the project thoughtfully transformed the library’s aging exterior into a beautiful and welcoming gathering space, featuring new limestone walkways, garden beds, lighting, and landscaping—all while honoring the character of the historic 1923 building.

As the oldest continuously used library in Allegheny County, the Sewickley Public Library holds an important place in our community’s history. Broadside Terrace is a wonderful example of how thoughtful design can preserve that history while creating something new for generations to enjoy.

Congratulations to the Sewickley Public Library, Studio St. Germain, and everyone who helped bring this project to life!

08/08/2026

Studio St. Germain is honored to announce that our Sewickley Public Library Broadside Terrace project has received the Sewickley Valley Historical Society 2026 Architectural Preservation Award. The new space serves as an inviting outdoor extension of the library while honoring the rich history of this beloved community institution.

Sewickley Public Library is the recipient of the 2026 Architectural Preservation Award from the Sewickley Valley Historical Society, recognizing the library’s long and continued demonstration of excellence in the historic preservation of its building and grounds. This year’s award specif...

07/16/2026

Air quality across Pennsylvania has been upgraded to Code Red as wildfire smoke from Minnesota and Ontario moves into the region. With AQI levels reaching hazardous ranges, people with respiratory conditions face the greatest health risks. We explored how wildfire smoke impacts air quality—and how building design can help improve indoor air—in a previous Studio St. Germain IDEAS post.

Architecture has responded to air quality issues with Passive House initiatives and high-performance construction.

07/09/2026

Frank Lloyd Wright achieved unparalleled fame for his architectural masterpieces, but he also dedicated years to creating affordable housing for the middle class during the Great Depression. His
Usonian designs offer us a glimpse of possibilities for the future even after nearly a century.

The creativity and ingenuity behind Usonians offer us a glimpse of possibilities for the future even after nearly a century.

06/06/2026

The Wilkinsburg Passive House was the focus of a recent feature in the SHADY AVE Magazine. In an interview with Anne Perri Cole, Studio St. Germain owner Nathan St. Germain discussed how the first single-family residence in Pennsylvania to earn an EnerPHit certification combines energy efficiency, health, and sustainability to produce a stylish example of high-performance design.

A former storefront in Wilkinsburg tranforms into a rarity: It’s the first in Pennsylvania to earn a Passive House EnerPHit certification.

05/20/2026

We are hiring Architect II and Architect I positions. If you are passionate about architecture and design, we encourage you to apply. Please submit your resume, portfolio, and a letter of interest to [email protected]

04/29/2026

We are honored to see our Wilkinsburg Passive House project featured in the latest issue of Shady Ave magazine. This project represents a major milestone for our firm and the region: it is the first single-family home in Pennsylvania to earn the rigorous EnerPHit certification.

At Studio St. Germain, we believe the most sustainable building is the one already built. By applying the "natural order of sustainability"—focusing on the building envelope and air quality before mechanical and renewable systems—we’ve proven that even a century-old storefront can become a leader in high-performance living.

​Read the full feature on how we’re future-proofing Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods.

A former storefront in Wilkinsburg tranforms into a rarity: It’s the first in Pennsylvania to earn a Passive House EnerPHit certification.

04/25/2026

We are thrilled to share what a fantastic time we had celebrating Architecture Week at the Sewickley Public Library Our Principal Architect, Nathan St. Germain, hosted a "Read & Design" event in partnership with AIA Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Library Association.

After reading the classic Iggy Peck, Architect, the K-5th graders tackled some amazing design challenges, sketching out everything from monkey hotels to bear schools! It was incredible to see how quickly these young minds grasped design concepts and applied their boundless creativity.

A huge thank you to the library for hosting us, to AIA Pennsylvaniaand Pennsylvania Library Association (PaLA) for presenting the event, and to all the families who brought their future architects out to celebrate with us. hashtag hashtag

04/08/2026