Designed by Pittsburgh-based The Design Alliance Architects (TDA Architects), this new 24,350 square foot building is the Center for Sustainable Landscapes and will provide educational space to expand and enhance the Conservatory’s programs that are geared towards primary and secondary school students. TDA Architects provided master planning and design services for this facility, and was tasked with meeting both LEED Platinum and Living Building Challenge standards.
Many sustainable features helped to make this sustainable gem possible. First of all, the structure produces all its own renewable power, which includes geothermal, wind, and solar energies. Passive cooling, heating, and lighting techniques were utilized as many places as possible, and helped to keep energy costs low in order to achieve net-zero energy. Also, since the facility is a botanical wonderland, it is designed with a wetland, lagoon, green roof, rain garden, a water distillation system, and a rainwater collection system for irrigating the many habitats of flora found on the site.
+ Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
+ The Design Alliance Architects
Via Architizer
Lead Image Courtesy Phipps Conservatory
