Accelerate to Zero (A to Z) Tour at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Passive House Carrick Branch 

In 2001, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP) launched the Libraries for LIFE Captial Campaign to refresh aging libraries with much needed design, accessibility, and energy efficiency improvements and reawaken these locations as functional and valued community assets. These improvements serve as a demonstration of CLP’s commitment to community service and sustainability. 

CLP Carrick became the 17th capital renovation project under the umbrella of the program in 2018 and is the first Passive House (PHI) certified library in North America. The building’s large windows allow for plenty of natural daylight, while super-insulated walls and head-recovery ventilation system work together to provide a constant flower of fresh air to keep the building warm or cold, depending on the season. The renovation also features bioswales and a rain garden for stormwater management. 

Join GBA, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, and Thoughtful Balance for a presentation of the Passive House design, project timeline, lessons learned, current operations and cost savings, and community impact as a result of the renovation, reactivating the library as a Carrick community hub. 

Refreshments provided by EPIC Metals, which has supplied roof and floor deck ceiling systems to 388 LEED certified projects in 42 states, and whose systems were incorporated into the Carrick Library project. 

Participants will:

– Gain a foundational knowledge of Passive House design standards and CLP-Carrick’s current building operations

– Learn more about the renovation of CLP-Carrick as a catalyst for community impact 

– Accelerate to Zero: Gain insight into how the design and operations of CLP-Carrick align with Pittsburgh 2030 District carbon, energy, and water reduction goals, as well as demonstrate the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s dedication to sustainability goals 

This event is eligible for 1.5 self-reported GBCI CEUs 

Meet our Speaker

Laura Nettleton, Retired, Thoughtful Balance

Laura will also be joined by other members of the CLP-Carrick Project Team, Jim Bischoff, Steven Massaro, and David Landis, who will provide additional context and perspective throughout the presentation and tour. 

Project Team

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh 

Thoughtful Balance 

NK Architects 

EPIC Metals 

Massaro Construction Group

Imperial Construction Services