Regional Green Building Stats

How does Western Pennsylvania measure up against other regions in terms of green building?

Regional Green Building Stats

How does Western Pennsylvania measure up against other regions in terms of green building?

Any building can be a green building, but one way to provide a framework for best practices, keep project teams accountable, and measure performance is through green building certifications.

After the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) launched its LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) green building rating system in 1998, three of the first 13 buildings to receive LEED certification were in Greater Pittsburgh.

Since then, the city has consistently ranked high for its number of LEED and other certified green buildings, coming in at 19th in LEED buildings per capita. Pittsburgh is also home to the largest of the 2030 districts, a network of buildings that have committed to 50% reductions in energy, water, and transportation emissions by 2030.

Here’s where Western Pennsylvania stands (as of December 2021):

23,538

ENERGY STAR Homes in Pennsylvania

6,347

ENERGY STAR Homes in Pittsburgh

1,180+

buildings committed to the Pittsburgh and Erie 2030 district goals

370

LEED certified projects in Western Pennsylvania

297

ENERGY STAR certified commercial buildings

AIA COTE Top 10 Award Winners

WELL certified buildings (of 93 nationally)

Passive House certified structures (10 pre-certified)

certified Living Buildings (of 21 nationally)

Sustainable Sites certified building (of 52 nationally)

Energy Petal certified building

In addition, buildings with Passive House, WELL Building, Living Building Challenge, and Green Globes certifications are all represented regionally. One of the most ground-breaking projects Western PA claims is the Center for Sustainable Landscapes at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, which is one of the most decorated green buildings in the world, boasting 4 certifications: LEED Platinum, Living Building certification, Sustainable Sites (4 stars), and WELL Building certification.

Did you know? Pittsburgh is home to many green firsts, including:

First LEED Food Bank – Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank
First LEED Financial Institution – PNC Firstside Center
First LEED Convention Center – David L. Lawrence Convention Center, now DOUBLE LEED certified!
First LEED University Dormitory – Carnegie Mellon University Stever House
First LEED Public Arts Facility – Pittsburgh Glass Center
First LEED Welcome Center in a Public Garden – Phipps Conservatory Welcome Center
First LEED Smithsonian Property – Senator John Heinz History Center
First LEED Radio Station – WYEP Radio Station
First LEED University Dance Studio – Point Park University Dance Complex

We’re excited about and dedicated to supporting the building owners, operators, project teams, and developers involved in many types of green building projects. Together, we can ensure that Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania continue to shine as as a green building leader!