Pittsburgh’s David L. Lawrence Convention Center is proud to announce the Platinum re-certification under the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance rating system. Platinum is the highest level of certification issued by the U.S. Green Building Council as part of their LEED system.
“We are delighted that the David L. Lawrence Convention Center has been re-certified Platinum. This designation reflects the continued commitment to sustainability, green innovation and re-use that can be found throughout our city, county and region,” says Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. “The center’s namesake was an early environmentalist in our community who focused on addressing smoke control and emissions through creative partnerships to find a way forward for our community. It’s fitting that his vision continues to lead us.”
“This is exciting news for the city of Pittsburgh as it provides yet another excellent opportunity to demonstrate Pittsburgh’s environmental transformation as we continue to lead the country in sustainability,” says Mayor William Peduto. “The convention center was the first to be LEED Gold certified when it opened in 2003 and was also the largest green building in the world at that time. With Platinum re-certification, we continue to be a leader economically, socially and environmentally,” adding, “We are proud of this award and are committed to continuing in our role as responsible stewards.”
“Achieving certification to the industry’s highest global standard is clear proof of our commitment to sustainability,” says Tim Muldoon, general manager of the DLCC. “We are proud to take the lead in advancing the convention center’s responsible environmental and social practices and are once again honored that Pittsburgh is being recognized as a sustainable meeting destination.”
The DLCC achieved LEED Platinum through cooperation between the SEA, SMG, Levy Restaurants, Veolia North America and many others who help the DLCC run successfully on a day-to-day basis. The DLCC received points in categories such as energy efficiency as a result of smart upgrades that made the building more sustainable, while effectively utilizing the daylighting and energy saving features built into the original design. The DLCC earned additional points by conserving water through an innovative water reclamation system and the use of filtered aquifer water, while having the added benefit of reducing the load on the city’s storm-water system. This multi-disciplinary teamwork forms the heart of the DLCC’s sustainable impact and continued LEED success.
The DLCC is the first convention center to achieve LEED Platinum for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance as well as LEED Gold for New Construction. The Center’s 55,000-square-foot green roof is used as programmable event space – another attribute that contributes to the sustainable commitment of the building.
”Pursuing the LEED Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance certification at the Platinum level shows the David L. Lawrence Convention Center’s continued commitment by operating the world’s first LEED Gold certified convention center in the most efficient way possible,” said Senator Wayne Fontana, chairman of the Sports & Exhibition Authority.
“The David L. Lawrence Convention Center’s LEED Platinum certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO & founding chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “The urgency of USGBC’s mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before, and the DLCC serves as a prime example with just how much we can accomplish.”
Through the re-certification process to reach LEED Platinum, the DLCC continues to show its commitment to producing sustainable events. The Center is truly a leader in waste, water and energy conservation. In addition, the Convention Center has received the APEX Level II Certification from the Green Meeting Industry Council for meeting environmentally sustainable benchmarks for environmental performance in meetings and events.
Completed in 2003 and owned by the Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, the DLCC is located in downtown Pittsburgh’s cultural district, within steps of theaters, museums, sport venues, galleries and restaurants. The SEA contracts with SMG for the professional management of the Convention Center. Fulfilling the SEA’s mission to develop first-class sports, entertainment, recreational, and convention venues to benefit Pittsburgh’s economy and improve quality of life, the dynamic architectural design is like no other–breath-taking views, open terraces, and a suspended roof structure. As the first LEED Gold certified convention center under the LEED for New Construction rating system, some of the sustainable and efficient features include a natural ventilation system, abundant natural daylight, a water reclamation system, and an extensive recycling program.
The US Green Building Council is a nonprofit 17,000 membership organization whose vision is a sustainable built environment within a generation. Its membership includes corporations, builders, universities, government agencies, and other nonprofit organizations. For more info, visit www.usgbc.org.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System is a feature-oriented rating system that awards buildings points for satisfying specified green building criteria. The 6 major environmental categories of review include: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality and Innovation and Design. Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels of LEED green building certification are awarded based on the total number of points earned within each LEED category.
