Pittsburgh 2030 District Partner Roundtable

Harmonizing Performance and Place: 5th & Van Braam and Citizen Science Lab Lunch & Learn 

Join us at the GBA offices at the Highline to explore two Pittsburgh-based case studies that demonstrate how high-performing building practices can be paired with meaningful community impact. Presentations will feature GBBN’s 5th & Van Braam mass timber residential development in Uptown Pittsburgh and Citizen Science Lab’s new home in the Hill District, highlighting sustainability strategies alongside neighborhood context, community needs, and long-term value creation. 

Speakers will discuss how each project integrates energy efficiency, innovative design, and social outcomes while engaging stakeholders and building local champions for their projects. Together we’ll learn how these projects offer lessons for ways development can serve climate, communities, and local economies, and how these approaches can be applies across the region. 

Participants Will

1. Describe how sustainability strategies can be integrated with community-centered development, using mass timber and high-efficiency building practices as examples

2. Identify approaches, challenges, and successes for engaging neighborhoods and stakeholders to align project goals with community history, needs, and economy

3. Evaluate the roles of energy efficiency, materials, and building systems in supporting performance and impact

4. Accelerate to Zero: Discuss how these projects align with Pittsburgh 2030 District and Resilient Community energy, water, and decarbonization goals

This event is eligible for 1.5 AIA or self-reported GBCI CEUs

Meet the Speakers

Sabreena Woods-Miller, Associate Client Development Manager, GBBN

Sabreena leads client development in GBBN’s Pittsburgh office and works with GBBN’s market leaders and marketing team to identify and develop relationships with potential clients and community partners who share their value of positively affecting people in communities through their work. A visible advocate of innovative community development approaches throughout Pittsburgh, Sabreena champions collaborative development, informed engagement, productive reuse of vacant properties, and develops intentional partnerships to reach creative solutions. 

Dr. Andre Samuel, Founder, President & CEO, The Citizen Science Lab

A Ph.D. graduate of Duquesne University, Dr. Andre Samuel founded the S.I.G.M.A Science Mentorship Initiative, a summer study program designed to introduce diverse 9th graders to the University’s lab with the long-term goal of encouraging the pursuit of careers in STEM. Dr. Samuel is also the Lead for Remake Learning STE(A)M Working Group and sits on the board of the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, the Environmental Charter School, Duquesne University School of Medicine Advisory Board, and Omicelo Cares. 

Agenda

3:00 PM – Arrival & networking

3:30 PM – Presentation begins, GBA opening comments 

3:40 PM – Sabreena Woods-Miller, GBBN, 5th & Van Braam

4:00 PM – 5th & Van Braam Q&A

4:10 PM – Dr. Andre Samuel, Citizen Science Lab

4:30 PM – Citizen Science Lab Q&A 

4:40 PM –  Event concludes, optional Happy Hour and additional networking at The Finch at the Distillery 

More About the Pittsburgh 2030 District

The Pittsburgh 2030 District is a nationally recognized network of over 540 properties that have saved $525 million in cumulative utility costs and avoided 3.4 million metric tons of CO2 emissions to date by partnering with GBA and industry peers in modernizing their buildings. 

GBA curates educational programming with content geared towards 2030 District property partners. This programming includes educational sessions, case studies, and building tours on topics integral to 2030 District and Resilient Community goals focusing on energy efficiency, reducing water consumption, improving indoor environmental quality, and decarbonization as property partners are Accelerating to Zero. 

For more information about the Pittsburgh 2030 District and how to get involved, please contact info@gba.org