Environmental Center is 1ST municipal building from Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. This is free and open to the public. First one certified in the country. One of only 21 buildings worldwide
After more than a year of extensive sustainability work, the launch has commenced. The shared project between the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and the City of Pittsburgh, received the Living Building Challenge (LBC) Certification. The world’s most rigorous proven performance standard by the International Living Future Institute. The Frick Environmental Center is the first Living Building in America that’s municipally owned. So it’s free and open to the public. To qualify, the Environmental Center must produce as much energy as it consumes annually. It also must end toxic and harmful chemicals, and collect and treat its own water.
The nonprofit Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy partnered with many. Some include the City of Pittsburgh, architect Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, landscape architect LaQuatra Bonci Associates, and construction manager P.J. Dick Incorporated to make this “net zero” energy and water facility a reality.
Image credit © Ed Massery
LEED Platinum
This building is 16,000 square-foot Frick Environmental Center. It’s located on the edge of the 644-acre Frick Park, completed in since 2016. It named a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum building in November 2017. Furthermore, teams have worked to complete the intense Living Building Challenge. The Environmental Center is one of only 21 buildings in the world with Living Building Challenge Certification. The Environmental Center is the second Living Building Challenge Certified building. That now shares honor with the Phipps Center for Sustainable Landscapes. However, the Frick Environmental Center is the first building in Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania to meet the designation. This designation is under v2.1 of the Living Building Challenge.
Most noteworthy, No building in western Pennsylvania has ever been built according to such rigorous performance standards. That quote came from PJ Dick Project Manager Noah Shalter.
More important, The Frick Environmental Center, made possible by more than 1,000 people involved in the public visioning and planning process. Since 2011, more than 600 donors and funders generosity helped this project come to fruition. The Environmental Center represents a continued partnership. This one is between nonprofit Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and the City of Pittsburgh. Hence, the mission is to give a free facility that allows learners of all ages. This place will therefore partake in environmental education. The Environmental Center also serves as the gateway to Frick Park. It’s also a space for environmental classes, events and programs.
Source: Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Pittsburgh, PA – May 4, 2018 –
