Pitt hits a green building milestone

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Earlier this year, Pitt notched its 15th Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for the renovation of the Graduate School of Public Health (GSPH) building, which earned LEED Silver designation.

This newest LEED certification brings Pitt to a total of 1.2 million square feet of LEED-certified space, with more than a dozen green building certifications in the works.

LEED is the most widely used green building rating system in the world, providing third-party validation of a building’s green design, construction, operations and maintenance. The LEED framework assists in the creation of healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement.

“The University of Pittsburgh was an early adopter of the LEED green building certification and continues that leadership with an ongoing commitment to third-party certification,” said Aurora Sharrard, Pitt’s director of sustainability. “In line with the Pitt Sustainability Plan, the University pursues LEED certification or better on all large new construction and major renovation projects while simultaneously emphasizing rigorous energy and water performance goals.”

In February 2021, the Graduate School of Public Health building renovation achieved LEED Silver certification under the LEED for Commercial Interiors Standard. Green building strategies included removing asbestos and replacing heating, ventilation, cooling and electrical systems. Internal reconfiguration allowed for more collaboration space while responsibly managing energy and water and improving indoor environmental quality adjacent to a multitude of transit routes. (Aimee Obidzinski/University of Pittsburgh)

The McGowan vent structure — In 2005, the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine became the first University building in Pennsylvania to obtain a LEED Gold rating, and Pitt’s dedication to innovative green building design, construction and operation has not stopped since. Here, top-notch systems are used to recover heat, lower energy use and increase efficiency of outside air spaces. The McGowan structure also was built on an abandoned steel mill, earning points for reuse of a former industrial brownfield. (Tom Altany/University of Pittsburgh)

As an urban campus with older buildings, Pitt has unique opportunities to embed innovation and sustainability into campus construction. The facilities management team works to ensure that building upgrades incorporate sustainable practices, such as installing products with recycled content, using low-flow plumbing fixtures and partnering with local organizations on building material salvage and reuse to minimizing waste during construction. When Clapp Hall was renovated, the construction used the existing building structure, recycled building materials, reduced indoor water use and diverted construction and demolition debris to earn LEED Silver certification in 2020. (Aimee Obidzinski/University of Pittsburgh)

“We want to do every part we can to advance Pitt’s sustainability plan,” said Scott Bernotas, associate vice chancellor for Pitt’s Office of Facilities Management. “One way to do that is to minimize waste. A current example is the O’Hara Garage demolition, where the concrete is being ground up and repurposed, with the steel rebar being recycled.” (Mike Drazdzinski/University of Pittsburgh)

The Salk Pavilion and Commons renovation improved daylighting in the addition while shifting to more efficient artificial lighting. (Tom Altany/University of Pittsburgh)

The natural light in the Chevron annex helped it to earn LEED Gold certification in 2013, with points for indoor environmental quality on features like percentage of spaces with quality daylight views and thermal comfort. (Aimee Obidzinski/University of Pittsburgh)

Mascaro Green Roof — There are several green roofs across campus, including those at the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation. Green roofs are used to improve stormwater management, which is critical in a city like Pittsburgh that has a combined sewage overflow system. The green roofs retain water and prevent it from overwhelming the overflow system. (Tom Altany/University of Pittsburgh)

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Pitt hits a green building milestone

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