Pittsburgh, one of only two U.S. cities to claim two fully certified Living Buildings, leads North America in buildings formally committed to deep reductions in energy use, water consumption.
For a quarter century, the green building movement has steadily gained momentum in the United States. Western Pennsylvania has been at the forefront of this movement, resulting in the completion of projects noted around the country and the world for excellence in sustainable design, construction, and operation.
In 1993, as the U.S. Green Building Council held its first meeting, a group of environmental advocates in Pittsburgh took the first steps to bring these ideals to life by establishing the Green Building Alliance. Since then, sustainable innovations across Western Pennsylvania include 370 LEED-certified buildings, four Passive House structures, as well as six AIA COTE Top 10 Award Winners. More than 500 buildings (representing 87 million square feet) in the Pittsburgh 2030 District have committed to deep reductions in energy use, water consumption, and transportation emissions, all while improving indoor air quality – an achievement that places Pittsburgh first among North American cities striving to meet the 2030 Challenge’s ambitious goals.
Pittsburgh is also home to two projects that have met the rigorous Living Building Challenge certification (Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens’ Center for Sustainable Landscapes and Frick Environmental Center), a status equaled only by Seattle. The region’s leadership in the adoption of Passive House standards for ultra-low energy buildings is evidenced by Carnegie Library’s $4.3 million rebuild of its Carrick location, which if awarded certification, will be the first Passive House library in North America. View more information about Pittsburgh’s green building statistics here.
The Green Building Alliance celebrated its 25th anniversary by honoring 25 projects in Western Pennsylvania completed from 1993 through May 2018. They are:
- W. Beattie Career Center
- Ann Jones Gerace Center
- Arconic Corporate Center
- Bakery Square, Nabisco Building
- Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Branches
- Carriage House Children’s Center / Wightman School
- Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC
- Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
- David L. Lawrence Convention Center
- Erie Art Museum
- Frick Environmental Center
- Giant Eagle’s Shadyside Market District
- Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
- Heinz Family and Heinz Family Foundation Offices
- Larimer Neighborhood
- Laurel Highlands Falls Area Visitor Center at Ohiopyle State Park
- Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
- Residential Revival at Indiana University of Pennsylvania
- Robert L. Preger Intelligent Workplace at Carnegie Mellon University
- Sota Construction Corporate Offices
- Thelma Lovette YMCA
- Tower at PNC Plaza
- U.S. Steel Tower
- University of Pittsburgh’s McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine
- Uptown Lofts at Fifth
Six “Projects to Watch” in the region were also recognized, including the Community College of Allegheny County’s Workforce Development & Training Center, Pittsburgh International Airport’s Terminal Modernization Program, Hazelwood Green, Tree Pittsburgh’s Education Center and Heritage Nursery, Chatham University’s Eden Hall, and the City of Pittsburgh’s sustainability commitments including the Uptown EcoInnovation District.
ABOUT GREEN BUILDING ALLIANCE: Green Building Alliance (GBA) advances innovation in the built environment by empowering people to create environmentally, economically, and socially vibrant places. Founded in 1993, GBA is one of the oldest regional green building organizations in the United States. GBA proudly serves Pittsburgh and the 26 counties of Western Pennsylvania, with stakeholders across the Mid-Atlantic, the United States, and the world.
Contact: Ryan Walsh, Relationship & Development Senior Director: ryanw@gbapgh.org or 412-773-6017.
