The Largest 'Green' Building In The World

The new $370 million David L. Lawrence Convention Center on the banks of the Allegheny River is the world's largest green building.

1 minute read

May 26, 2003, 1:00 PM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"Other than a massive central exhibit hall that offers an impressive 250,000 square feet of column-free space, the new convention center also includes an 80,000-square-foot secondary hall, a 12,000-square-foot main kitchen, 53 meeting rooms, two 250-seat lecture halls, 37 truck loading docks and a 34,000-square-foot ballroom. All of which conforms to the shape of an irregular parallelogram that follows the angle of the shoreline at river's edge. ... But the one feature that might go largely unnoticed may very well be the building's most significant. When completed, it will be the largest green building in the world, as certified by the U.S. Green Building Council through its LEED green building rating system, which considers factors such as site selection, water and energy efficiencies, and use of nontoxic and recycled building materials."

Thanks to ArchNewsNow

Thursday, May 22, 2003 in Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Floor-to-ceiling rotating gates at Fairmount subway station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Crime Continues to Drop on Philly, San Francisco Transit Systems

SEPTA and BART both saw significant declines in violent crime in the first quarter of 2025.

April 28 - Mass Transit

South LA Wetlands Park in Los Angeles, California.

How South LA Green Spaces Power Community Health and Hope

Green spaces like South L.A. Wetlands Park are helping South Los Angeles residents promote healthy lifestyles, build community, and advocate for improvements that reflect local needs in historically underserved neighborhoods.

April 28 - ABC 7 Eyewitness News

Intersection in downtown Sacramento, California with neoclassical building with columns on left.

Sacramento Plans ‘Quick-Build’ Road Safety Projects

The city wants to accelerate small-scale safety improvements that use low-cost equipment to make an impact at dangerous intersections.

April 28 - The Sacramento Bee