NEWS

Green Building Summit Set for October
"There is still quite a market perception that green building is just about new buildings. How do we begin to shift this and look at Pittsburgh's assets?" (Rebecca Flora, Green Building Alliance, in Pittsburgh Business Times - link in "more information" below.) This summit, scheduled for October 30, will bring together as many as 60 historic preservation and green building experts to discuss how their two fields can compatibly merge. A workshop the next day will be followed by a town meeting, which is open to the public. Information gathered at the Pittsburgh event will be presented at the U.S. Green Building Council's annual GreenBuild conference in Denver, CO from November 15 - 17. More information.
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The "Big Picture" of GBA Membership
Every reader of this E-Update is a key component of the Green Building Alliance's growing constituency. As someone committed to healthy, high-performing places, your affiliation with GBA will increase the organization's credibility in the marketplace and strengthen its ability to address public policy and economic development issues.  Lock into program discounts and innovative initiatives by joining now! Click here for more information.
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Join GBA’s Emerald Dragon Boat Team!
Sun, fun, food and fabulous teamwork can be yours if you join GBA to compete in the ‘burgh's annual Dragon Boat Festival on Saturday, September 16.  No experience is necessary, but two practice sessions offered by Three Rivers Rowing Association are required.  The event will commence from South Side's Riverfront Park. Visit www.gbapgh.org/eventflyers/dragonboat.doc for complete details and reply to karenp@gbapgh.org no later than August 15 to join our team. Images from last year's event can be viewed here!
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PNC Skyscraper on Fifth Avenue to be Largest Green Building in U.S.
Pittsburgh already had the world's largest certified green building in its convention center--now PNC Financial Services Group wants to add to the collection. PNC officials recently stated that the 23-story skyscraper the company is erecting on Fifth Avenue in downtown Pittsburgh will be the largest environmentally-friendly mixed-use building in the United States. Scheduled to open in late 2008, it will be designed and constructed to meet LEED standards established by the U.S. Green Building Council. Work on Three PNC Plaza, the city's first new skyscraper in two decades, is expected to start in August with the deconstruction of 13 PNC-owned properties on Fifth Avenue between Wood Street and Liberty Avenue. More information can be found here.
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Green Movement Sweeps U.S. Construction Industry
A growing demand for building projects that use environmentally-friendly, energy-efficient materials has spurred a green movement in the construction industry. An estimated $10 billion of "green buildings" are in construction this year in the United States. Listen to the NPR story.
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August 10-12 - ASHRAE Presents: Advanced Energy Efficiency in Green Building Design
This conference will include many mini-sessions with subtopics providing “how to” instruction on green building. Tours of local green (LEED) facilities, including the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, PNC Firstside Center and buildings on the Carnegie Mellon University campus are scheduled. More information can be found here.
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September 7 - Devra Lee Davis: What's Where We Live and Work Got To Do With How We Feel?
Join us to hear Devra Lee Davis, PhD., MPH, a renowned environmental health expert and author, speak about the role that healthy built and natural environments play in the maintainance of good human health. She will also discuss the link between chemical pollutants and increasing health problems. Register here.
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September 13 - LEED Commercial Interiors Technical Review
LEED-CI gives the power to make green interiors choices to
tenants and designers who do not always have control over
whole building operations. Attendees of this review will learn how to successfully certify a high-performance LEED-CI interior and make it both a healthier place to work and a less costly space to operate and maintain. The LEED-CI standard is already being used across the country and demand for expertise in this area continues to expand. Come and learn how to get involved with this growing trend. The workshop will help you prepare for the new LEED-CI ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL EXAM!!! To register, visit here.
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September 15 - WYEP Studio Tour
The location of this innovative 21,000-square-foot restoration of blighted property in Pittsburgh's South Side allows access to the historic neighborhood, mass transit and bike trails. Designed for maximum performance, its building envelope and mechanical systems utilize recycled and rapidly renewable materials. Large windows allow 90% of the interior space to be flooded with natural light. Register here.
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October 5 - Driving Down the Cost of LEED, Driving Up the Value of Your Building
This workshop will provide the skills, tools and knowledge needed to deliver LEED-certified projects within expected economic and environmental project goals. Who should attend: design and project management professionals working on large building projects, either public or private. More information can be found here.
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October 30 - GBA and PHLF Present: The Greening of Historic Properties National Summit

The Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation and
Green Building Alliance invite you to participate in the Greening of Historic Properties National Summit. Join this national forum on preserving our historic buildings, while making smart improvements to promote efficiency, health and the environment. More information.
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