Best Green Buildings In Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is gaining a reputation as a green city. The U.S. Green Building Council currently reports 48 LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified buildings in the city, including the David L. Lawrence Convention Center and the Heinz History Center Smithsonian Wing. Here are some of the must-see green buildings in Pittsburgh. – KDKA Web Intern Katie McLaughlin
Children's Museum of Pittsburgh
10 Children's Way
Pittsburgh, Pa. 15212
(412)-322-5058
http://www.pittsburghkids.org
The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh is an interactive museum designed for children to "Play with Real Stuff" and engage their imaginations. The museum has numerous permanent exhibits including the workshop, waterplay, and Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. There are also a number of temporary exhibits on display throughout the year. The building gained LEED Silver certification for its expansion in 2006 and features water conservation technology and salvaged material from the preexisting historic building. The interior was finished with low-chemical-emitting materials to ensure visitor safety. Information about the specifics of the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh's LEED certification can be found on the Green Building Alliance website(http://gbapgh.org/case_studies_detail.aspx?SectionID=33&search=y&uuid=bd0c6271-401c-dd11-b4a7-0019b9c900af).
David L. Lawrence Convention Center
1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd
Pittsburgh, Pa. 15222
(412)-565-6000
http://www.pittsburghcc.com
The David L. Lawrence Convention Center is the first green convention center in the world. With its modern and environmentally friendly architecture, the building was described as the "perfect venue" by President Barack Obama. It hosts a variety of events every month and gained worldwide attention when it hosted the G-20 Pittsburgh Summit in 2009. The building gained LEED Gold certification in 2003 and features a greywater system for water conservation, which when combined with other technologies saves an estimated 1.8 million gallons of water per year. The building interior was finished with low-VOC and no-VOC materials, and an advanced ventilation system is used to keep the air and building clean, particularly during high-volume events. Information about the specifics of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center's LEED certification can be found on the Green Building Alliance website(http://gbapgh.org/case_studies_detail.aspx?SectionID=33&search=y&uuid=ca0c6271-401c-dd11-b4a7-0019b9c900af).
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
1 N Linden St
Duquesne, Pa. 15110-1097
(412) 460-0418
http://www.pittsburghfoodbank.org
The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is the leading food distribution center for southwestern Pennsylvania, distributing around 21 million pounds of food per year. The building gained LEED Silver certification in 2000 and features a variety of outdoor and indoor environmentally-friendly technologies, including low-maintenance grounds and an active recycling program. Information about the specifics of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank's LEED certification can be found on the Green Building Alliance website(http://gbapgh.org/case_studies_detail.aspx?SectionID=33&search=y&uuid=e30c6271-401c-dd11-b4a7-0019b9c900af).
Pittsburgh Glass Center
5472 Penn Ave
Pittsburgh, Pa. 15206-3455
(412)-365-2145
http://www.pittsburghglasscenter.org
The Pittsburgh Glass Center is a school, studio, and gallery dedicated to the creating and displaying glass art. Classes and workshops are offered for beginning, intermediate, and advanced students, and the Hodge Gallery hosts a variety of glass exhibitions. The building gained LEED Gold certification in 2006 and features a heat recovery system that warms the building using the heat from the glassmaking process. Additionally, the building is built from salvaged materials that give it a modern industrial appearance. Information about the specifics of the Pittsburgh Glass Center's LEED certification can be found on the Green Building Alliance website(http://gbapgh.org/case_studies_detail.aspx?SectionID=33&search=y&uuid=220d6271-401c-dd11-b4a7-0019b9c900af)
PNC Firstside Center
500 1st Ave
Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219-3129
The PNC Firstside Center houses bank operations, treasury management, corporate loan operations, network services, and employee development for the PNC Financial Services Group. The building gained LEED Silver certification in 2000 and was built with post-consumer recycled steel and water-conserving technologies. The PNC Firstside Center promotes alternative transportation and does not provide staff parking on the site. Information about the specifics of the PNC Firstside Center's LEED certification can be found on the Green Building Alliance website(http://gbapgh.org/case_studies_detail.aspx?SectionID=33&search=y&uuid=2b0d6271-401c-dd11-b4a7-0019b9c900af).
Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center: Smithsonian Wing
1212 Smallman Street
Pittsburgh, Pa.
(412)-454-6000
http://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
The Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and displays 250 years of Pittsburgh history, including the Steelers football team and H.J. Heinz Company. The wing gained LEED Silver certification in 2005 and was built with recycled and low-VOC materials. Information about the specifics of the Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center's LEED certification can be found on the Green Building Alliance website(http://gbapgh.org/case_studies_detail.aspx?SectionID=33&search=y&uuid=e80c6271-401c-dd11-b4a7-0019b9c900af).
