Pittsburgh International Airport Takes Home the Gold

PHOTO BY BETH HOLLERICH

Pittsburgh International Airport’s extensive sustainability efforts have paid off. 

The airport’s new terminal earned another feather in its cap this week as the U.S. Green Building Council announced that it and the customer service building have earned LEED Gold certification. The airport also announced that its new Terminal Garage has also received Parksmart Gold Certification.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification is the world’s most widely recognized green building rating system. Achieving LEED Gold reflects the airport’s dedication to designing and constructing facilities that reduce environmental impact, improve efficiency, conserve resources and create healthier spaces for travelers, staff and airline partners, officials say.

“PIT pursued Gold certification for all three projects because the facilities were already being designed as modern, energy-efficient buildings with many of the features required for certification,” Chad Willis, Allegheny County Airport Authority’s vice president of planning, environmental and sustainability, says in a statement. “Since those sustainable design elements were part of the base design, it made sense to pursue LEED and Parksmart Gold and formally recognize the projects’ performance.”

In order to achieve LEED certification, a building must meet a prerequisite set of standards in categories like water, energy and materials. To reach the gold level, a building must meet all prerequisites and also score additional points in key areas, including water efficiency, indoor environmental quality and materials and resources.

Officials say the certification “recognizes the airport’s implementation of sustainable building practices and advanced technologies throughout the new facilities.” Key features include energy-efficient systems, responsible and locally sourced material selection, water conservation measures, enhanced indoor air quality features and sustainable waste management.

Additionally, Parksmart Gold certification recognizes the Terminal Garage for its innovative approach to parking, sustainability and the overall traveler experience, according to Blue Sky News. Administered by Green Business Certification Inc. , Parksmart evaluates parking facilities on strategies that reduce environmental impact, improve efficiency and enhance the experience for drivers and the surrounding community.

Features that contributed to the certification include technology and design elements intended to make parking easier and more efficient for travelers, energy-efficient lighting and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. 

The new terminal also incorporated NaTeCo (Nature, Technology and Community) design philosophy in ways that complement the principles behind its LEED Gold certification, officials say. By drawing inspiration from the region’s natural landscape, incorporating abundant natural light, using sustainable materials and creating healthier, more connected spaces, NaTeCo supports the terminal’s focus on environmental responsibility.

PIT has earned national recognition for its sustainability and resiliency initiatives, including its industry-leading microgrid that became operational in 2021. PIT’s microgrid is the first in the world to completely power a major airport using natural gas and solar energy and has made the airport among the most site-hardened.

Last month, too, the airport opened the first of its four outdoor terraces as part of the new terminal project. The 36,000 square-foot UPMC Terrace features a walkway, seating and landscaping inspired by western Pennsylvania’s natural beauty. Visitors can access the terrace on the Arrivals Level. Captured rainwater from the terminal roof provides water for the terraces.

“As we continue transforming the airport experience, sustainability and resiliency remain at the core of our decision-making,” Willis says. “This certification validates the hard work of our project teams, partners, and stakeholders who helped make these facilities both innovative and environmentally responsible.”