Green Building Alliance

Neighborhood Allies is celebrating a #DecadeOfDifference! Check out their 5-video series, which reflects on the transformative journey of Neighborhood Allies and their partners since 2014, explores the profound impact they’ve made on individuals, communities, and ecosystems over the past decade, and showcases the depth and breadth of their work. Watch the journey at: https://buff.ly/qpno7TK Get your tickets for the Decade of Difference Celebration on May 7, 2025 from 6 to 8 pm at the Energy Innovation Center at bit.ly/10YearTix. #100KStrong #LetsBeAllies

The arrival of spring also means the arrival of migrating birds. GBA Vice President of Education & Communications Leslie Montgomery contributed to this article by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Mary Ann Thomas highlighting bird friendly design features of the new UPMC Presbyterian Tower. We congratulate UPMC for choosing to incorporate bird-safe, energy efficient glass in their project and encourage building owners, architects, and planners to explore the many glass design solutions available to eliminate collisions in existing buildings as well as new construction. Pursuing bird-friendly design can also earn points toward LEED certification. U.S. Green Building Council LEEDv5 certification launches in 2025 and will offer two options to earn points for elements that reduce bird collisions and create healthier habitats: the O+M credit Light Pollution and Bird Collision Reduction (1 point); and the BD+C credit Biodiverse Habitat (1 point).   GBA was honored to work with UPMC during the early stages of project design to set high standards for energy efficiency, green building design principles, and healthy spaces - all of which are integrated throughout the project. https://lnkd.in/ef_DFEFF

Join Green Building Alliance and an outstanding roster of speakers for the upcoming installment of the Inspire Speakers Series, as we explore the stories and strategies of regional leaders who are building community resilience, modernizing the built environment, strengthening social networks, and constructing healthy, vibrant, and significant spaces where people can thrive. 🗓️ May 29 ⏰ 5 - 8:30 p.m. 📍 Spartan Community Center, Hazelwood 💲 $25 GBA members, $40 non-members, $65 ticket with scholarship donation 🛠️ Eligible for 2 AIA and/or self-reported GBCI credit hours 🔗 Get tickets on the GBA website: https://buff.ly/uvq4qfx We are thrilled to share some information about our speakers: Julie Wilson is the Executive Director of Common Roots PA. Common Roots is pioneering new cooperative approaches to developing and maintaining affordable housing. Through their Renting Cooperative and Self-Help Housing programs, community members work together to care for their homes, all while building community, opportunity, and achieving wealth through “sweat equity.” Sallyann Kluz, RA, Executive Director of Shiftworks Community + Public Arts, is a Pittsburgh-based arts administrator, architect, and urban designer. With more than 25 years of experience in the Pittsburgh region, Sallyann is committed to shaping inclusive, vibrant public spaces that reflect the values, histories, and aspirations of the communities who inhabit them. Her work weaves together public art strategies, community engagement, design education, and neighborhood development—all in service of broadening the role of artists in civic and social life. Tim Smith, Pastor and CEO of Center of Life, has worked and volunteered in the Hazelwood community for decades. His passion for connecting with kids and families led him to create Center of Life as a nonprofit and community empowerment organization. Planning and a capital campaign are underway for the new Hazelwood Green Community Hub at Hazelwood Green. Featuring a LEED-certified, net-zero-energy design, the Hub is pursuing a “world-class vision for the community” and will bring transformative educational, arts, extracurricular programming, resources and opportunity to youth and families of Hazelwood. Alicia Volcy, Founder and CEO of Studio Volcy, will moderate the evening. Alicia is a dynamic designer and real estate developer who creates spaces and places for organizations with innovative community development initiatives. In addition to her work as a designer and developer, Alicia served as President of National Organization of Minority Architects, Pittsburgh Chapter, where she led the organization’s inaugural Architecture Camp for youth, Project Pipeline. Learn more and get tickets on the GBA website: https://buff.ly/uvq4qfx

We are thrilled to congratulate Volpatt Construction, Michael Volpatt, Megan Tunon, Etna Community Organization (ECO), Veni Mittal, EcoDistricts AP, LEED GA, Bridget Barrett, Etna Mayor Robert Tuñón, Mary Ellen Ramage, and all those engaged with the Etna EcoDistrict for this exciting update on plans for the new Etna Center for Community and library. The project prioritizes indoor air quality and energy efficiency and will include on-site energy generation via solar PV arrays, a rainwater collection and diversion system to reduce the impact of future storms, and a robust and innovative construction waste diversion plan in partnership with Construction Junction and Michael Brothers Companies.  Special recognition also to Congressman Chris Deluzio, County Executive Sara Innamorato, State Senator Lindsey Williams, and State Representative Lindsay Powell, MPP for providing essential support to move the project forward. The new Center will house the community library and will be a beautiful, welcoming space -- we can’t wait to watch it take shape! #greenbuilding #futurethinking #resilient #lovepittsburgh https://lnkd.in/eGgwdx29

See why this member of the GBA network looks forward to the Emerald Evening Gala! ✳️ Emerald Evening 2025 ✳️ 🗓️ May 8, 2025 🕰️ 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. 📍 David L. Lawrence Convention Center Rooftop 💲 Tickets start at $125 Get your tickets today on the GBA website: https://buff.ly/ij7l7Lw

School and municipality staff: join GBA at our rescheduled Resilient Space Strategies workshop on May 13th, in collaboration with Allegheny County Conservation District as part of the Building Vibrant Communities Workshop Series funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Paying special attention to municipal buildings and schools, municipality representatives and community residents will use climate risk maps to identify hazards most likely to impact their neighborhoods, as well as ways buildings can be used as tools to prepare for, respond to, and recover from the effects of severe weather events. We’ll look at common risks such as extreme heat, precipitation, flood, drought, wildfires and poor air quality, and see examples of resilient buildings in communities at similar risk. Participants in this workshop will walk away with a self-constructed toolkit to assist in advocacy for more energy efficient and resilient changes in the buildings in their neighborhoods, as well as compliance with Pittsburgh climate and resilience ordinances. Learn more and register on Eventbrite: https://buff.ly/uLjsKkn

Our office at The Highline was extra full last week as we welcomed students attending a Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) Green Associate prep course, led by GBA Vice President of Education & Communications Leslie Montgomery. The day-long intensive prepares students for the LEED GA credentialing exam and covers general knowledge of high-performance building practices and how to support individuals and teams working on LEED projects. Earning a LEED GA associate credential demonstrates professional growth, opens doors to new job opportunities and helps individuals advance their career in the high-performance building industry. Follow GBA for news on upcoming professional trainings, as well as opportunities to earn Continuing Education Credits. For more information on scholarships available for future trainings, reach out to us at info@gba.org.

Join sustainable design and construction innovators Clara and Adam Phillips and Green Building Alliance for a happy hour event exploring bioconstruction techniques. The event will include a hands-on bioconstruction demonstration and a screening of clips from the documentary on the construction of Clara and Adam’s unique, eco-friendly home, Casa Urucum, in Brazil.     This event is eligible for 1.5 self-reported CEUs.  🗓️ Thursday, April 24 🕰️ 4 to 6:30 p.m. 📍 GBA Office 💲 $25 for GBA members, $35 for non-members 🎓 Eligible for 1.5 self-reported CEUs 🔗 https://buff.ly/Y5VPQtn Eco construction minimizes environmental impact while creating symmetry between the structure and its surrounding natural elements. More recently, as access to information has expanded and demand for green building techniques has grown, wattle and daub, rammed earth, adobe, and earthbag (SuperAdobe) techniques have resurfaced as accessible, sustainable practices in eco construction.     While studying permaculture and sustainable construction in Brazil, Clara and Adam began experimenting with SuperAdobe. This versatile technique uses sandbags and on-site earth and draws from both contemporary and traditional earth architecture methods to fashion safe, durable, lower-carbon, and lower-cost structures. Clara and Adam Phillips used SuperAdobe, along with other bioconstruction methods, as a living experiment to construct Casa Urucum.   Learn more and register for the event on the GBA website: https://buff.ly/NYK2SIk

The 2025 Better Buildings, Better Plants Summit is happening April 30 - May 2 in Washington, D.C. This annual event for Better Buildings, Better Plants partners and other key stakeholders provides the opportunity for professionals to explore emerging technologies and share innovative strategies in energy efficiency, water, and waste reduction. Attendees take part in interactive sessions with industry experts and market leaders as well as multiple opportunities to network with peers. Nearly 10,000 professionals from public, private, and industrial sector organizations have previously attended the Summit. Attendees typically include C-Suite executives, building owners, managers, and operators, facility and energy managers, leaders, policy advisors, decision makers, sustainability directors, engineers, and city managers and officials. Learn more and register for the summit on the U.S. Department of Energy website: https://buff.ly/WUiBQwA

Get a sneak peek at the details of this year's Emerald Evening! With memorable food and drink options, entertainment from local artists, and networking opportunities against the stunning backdrop of the Pittsburgh skyline, this is one event you won't want to miss. It all takes place on May 8th from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on the David Lawrence Convention Center rooftop. Tickets start at $125--purchase yours on our website: https://buff.ly/bruJixf