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A modern two-story building with large windows and a sloped roof, surrounded by green trees and grass. The structure features wooden accents and a patio area on the upper level.

Frick Environmental Center

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

A project of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and the City of Pittsburgh, the Frick Environmental Center is a certified Living Building that has achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum.

Project Description

The Frick Environmental Center, the world’s first publicly accessible, free admission Living Building Challenge project, acts as a gateway to the 644-acre Frick Park. Constructed to collect as much energy as it uses, the project’s innovative design includes solar PV panel-covered parking areas, roof rainwater collection, material selection, and on-site geothermal wells. Rainwater collected is used for the Center’s non-potable water needs, while on-site geothermal wells provide an energy-saving 50 degree starting point for heating and cooling of the building. Carefully considered ventilation systems utilize air flow to keep the building cool, while large expanses of windows provide natural light for classrooms, office space, public meeting spaces, and stairwells. The Frick Environmental Center features welcoming indoor learning spaces, a community “living room” gathering space and reception area, public restrooms and offices, an amphitheater built into the hillside, and native plant and produce gardens.

Completed

2016

Municipality

City of Pittsburgh

Neighborhood

Squirrel Hill

Certifications

Living Building Challenge certified, LEED Platinum, Net Zero Energy

Key Green Features

2030 District Partner
Accessible & Universal Design
Adaptive Reuse
Bird-Friendly Design
Community Engagement
Daylighting
Greywater System
Materials Selection (Healthy)
Materials Selection (Local)
Materials Selection (Salvage and Reuse)
Native Landscaping
Natural Ventilation
On-site Geothermal
On-site Solar Power
Rainwater Collection

Building Use

Community
Education
Multi-Use
Park

Awards Received

Lodestar Award, For Inspirational Solar Leadership 2023 (Pennsylvania Solar Center), AIA COTE Top Ten Plus Award 2019, AIA Committee on Education in Architecture Award of Excellence 2017, Green Building Alliance Inaugural Leadership Award 2017, Placemaking Award Winner, Jury Award, 2017 (Urban Land Institute Pittsburgh), Regional Excellence in Wood Design 2017 (Woodworks Wood Products Council), Sustainable Project of the Year 2017 (Engineers Society of Western PA), AIA QUAD 2017 Design Awards Honor Award (AIA Quad), AIA Pittsburgh Honor Award in Architecture 2017 (AIA Pittsburgh), 2017 Excellence in Concrete Construction, 2nd Place Low Rise Buildings Category (The American Concrete Institute)

Building Size

14,950

Building Owner

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy

Project Team

PJ Dick, Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, RAM-TECH Engineers P.C., H.F. Lenz, Barber & Hoffman, La Quatra Bonci Associates, Energy Independent Solutions, CJL Engineering, Atelier Ten, RETTEW, EvolveEA, Nitsch Engineering, Stacy Levy | Sere Ltd., Urban Tree, London Pattern