Gensler’s Super Sustainable Tower at PNC Plaza Breaks Ground in Pittsburgh

<a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/gensler" target="_blank">Gensler</a> just broke ground on Pittsburgh's new <a href="http://inhabitat.com/pncs-new-green-skyscraper-to-tap-pittsburghs-underground-fourth-river/" target="_blank">Tower at PNC Plaza</a> - which was designed to be one of the world's most environmentally friendly skyscrapers. After researching the world's most sustainable buildings, the design team chose the most efficient and effective green design strategies that work with Pittsburgh's climate in order to minimize energy use. Their high performance design is expected to set the standard for sustainability in skyscrapers and includes the use of double-skinned facade, natural ventilation, daylighting, solar power and more.

PNC Financial Services is known for pushing the boundaries for sustainable design and already boasts one of the largest living walls on the exterior of <a href="http://inhabitat.com/north-americas-largest-living-wall-installation-by-pnc/" target="_blank">One PNC Plaza</a> and has 170 LEED certified projects throughout the country.

Their newest project, the Tower at PNC Plaza is expected to push even further and features an innovative, low-energy strategy to heat and cool the building.

Architectural design was led by <a href="http://www.gensler.com/#home/0" target="_blank">Gensler</a>, with aid from <a href="http://www.burohappold.com/" target="_blank">Buro Happold</a> for engineering and <a href="http://www.paladinoandco.com/" target="_blank">Paladino &amp; Co</a> for green design consulting.

Working closely with PNC, the team centered their design strategies around a "three pillar" approach: energy conservation, organizational productivity, and community contribution.

The 3 Pillars and strategies to help achieve those goals.

The 32-story tower is grouped into "neighborhoods" with a pair of floors that features a double-height atrium that serves as a "town square" for employees to foster collaboration and a sense of community.

PNC is devoted to revitalization of downtown Pittsburgh and the podium and ground floor design seeks to support a vibrant urban district.

The tower's orientation maximizes on daylighting and a high performance, double-skinned facade encourages natural ventilation.

Operable windows on the facade open on days with optimal conditions (which occurs almost half of the year), and allows the building "breath" by taking in fresh air from the outside and expelling hot air out the top.

The angled roof acts as a solar collector to further encourage a cooling effect. The iconic tower is set to serve as a new landmark for the city and propel green design even further.