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The concept of green architecture is gaining traction globally, driven by a growing awareness of environmental issues.
At the same time, Pittsburgh is also emerging as a hub for green innovation. With three fully certified living buildings and the world’s most rigorous green building standard, the city has accomplished a rare feat that puts the city on the global green architecture map.
One of those buildings, the Center for Sustainable Landscapes (CSL) at Phipps Conservatory, relies heavily on technology to meet its high sustainability goals.
“Technology is crucial to the success of buildings like the CSL,” Adam Haas, interpretive programs manager at Phipps, told Technical.ly. “Robust energy models were essential during the design phase, and we integrated several innovative materials that were new to us at the time.”
Green architecture focuses on designing buildings that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout their lifecycle, from siting to design, construction, operation and eventual demolition. In Pittsburgh, the Exhibit Staging Center at Phipps, and the Frick Environmental Center have also earned the Living Buildings recognition.
But, as Haas points out, it’s not just about technology.
“Peak performance only happens when technology is paired with thoughtful design,” Haas said. “The CSL’s triple-paned, argon-filled, [low-emissivity] coated windows, for example, are incredibly advanced, but they’re only effective because the building was oriented to maximize sunlight.”
The building’s design is a fusion of passive and active strategies that work with the natural environment. Certifications like the Living Building Challenge (LBC) emphasize the need to integrate nature directly into the design process, according to Haas.
The LBC is a rigorous environmental standard for building projects that emphasizes sustainability across seven performance categories — place, water, energy, health and happiness, materials, equity, and beauty — aiming to create structures that not only minimize environmental impact but actively improve the ecosystem.
CSL, however, stands out, according to Haas, for being the only building in the world to meet seven of the most stringent green certifications, including the LEED Platinum, and the WELL Building Platinum project and Zero Energy Certification.
“The CSL stands as a testament to the regional talent we have,” he told Technical.ly, “but it’s also proof that such projects can be realized anywhere in the world.”
Opened in 2012, the CSL was conceived, designed and built using local talent, a nod to Pittsburgh’s expertise in sustainability. The Design Alliance, a Pittsburgh-based firm, led the project, collaborating with other local architects, contractors, and engineers.
Green construction is a fast-growing industry with a huge economic impact. In fact, it’s on track to create 3.3 million US jobs and $190.3 billion in labor earnings, according to 2015 economic impact study.
Notable examples of green architecture worldwide include The Edge in Amsterdam, known for its innovative energy-efficient design, Bosco Verticale in Milan, which incorporates vertical gardens to improve air quality and the Bullitt Center in Seattle, often referred to as the greenest commercial building in the world.
Green buildings can even reduce city temperatures by two degrees.
CSL runs on solar panels and a closed-loop water system
At the heart of the CSL’s operations is its energy system. The building generates all its own electricity on-site, making it a net-zero energy facility.
“When you aim to design a net-zero building, the first step is to make it as energy-efficient as possible,” Haas said. “That’s a combination of both smart design and cutting-edge technology.”
For example, CSL uses just a quarter of the electricity a typical building of its size in this climate would use, according to Haas.
The CSL is equipped with solar panels that power not just the building itself but also two adjacent facilities, the Nature Lab and the Exhibit Staging Center.
“The photovoltaic panels generate more electricity than the CSL needs during certain times of the year,” Haas explains. “During the spring and fall, for example, the surplus power goes to other parts of the campus.”
Phipps also installed a vertical-axis wind turbine to investigate the feasibility of wind power in densely populated urban areas. Haas pointed out that while the wind turbine serves primarily as a test project.
CSL also maintains a closed-loop water system, which is a method of managing water where it is collected, treated, used and then recycled back into the system.
“The CSL site is net-zero water,” Haas said. “We manage all stormwater and treat all sanitary waste on-site, sending none of it to the overtaxed combined sewer system.”
The site is designed to manage a ten-year storm event, which is approximately 3.3 inches of rain in 24 hours, by utilizing natural systems such as green roofs, rain gardens, and bioswales.
The CSL’s landscaping is as important as its architectural design. For example, native plants minimize irrigation needs, according to Haas. Then, after establishing the plants, the landscape does not require any potable water for irrigation.
Additionally, the CSL collects rainwater from nearby buildings to replenish its lagoon, which plays a crucial role in the water treatment process.
But CSL’s closed-loop water system required continuous adjustments to function optimally.
“Treating and reusing all water on-site is a complex process, especially in a region with such varied rainfall patterns. But through trial and error, we’ve managed to create a system that works,” Haas said
Overcoming cost and design challenges, while balancing tech advancements
Despite its numerous successes, the CSL has encountered its share of challenges.
“Not every technology or strategy works exactly as you expect,” Haas said, “but that’s invaluable information for future projects.”
One of the biggest challenges the team faced was fine-tuning the balance between technology and design. Focusing on just the technical aspects of going green isn’t enough, according to Haas.
Another problem, that rings true for many organizations, is cost. Considering budget often leads to the choice of cheaper, non-compliant materials, prioritizing immediate savings over long-term gains.
“You can have the most advanced systems in the world, but if the building isn’t designed to complement them, you won’t achieve the performance you need,” Haas said.
The green process starts at the beginning, at least for CSL it was a major part of the building process, instead of a major overhaul down the line.
While initial costs may seem daunting, the long-term savings can be substantial. Moreover, the benefits of green buildings reach beyond just financial savings. They contribute to the overall health of both the community and the environment.
“We haven’t paid an electric bill in more than a decade,” Haas said. “Even If you take more than the very shortest of views, you realize that these buildings are much more economical.”