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A modern building with a glass facade and angular architecture, viewed from a low angle. The structure reflects elements of the sky and nearby greenery. A roadway is visible in the foreground.

David L. Lawrence Convention Center

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

One of Pittsburgh’s hallmark green buildings, the David L. Lawrence Convention Center was the world’s largest green building when it opened in 2003 and the first LEED-certified convention center in the world.

Project Description

Constructed with public money and owned by a public authority, the David L. Lawrence Convention Center was designed by architect Rafael Vinoly with features that balance both aesthetic quality and operational efficiency. With a sweeping roof skyline inspired by the great bridges of Pittsburgh, it was the first convention center in the United States built with a strong commitment to environmental principles such as natural lighting and ventilation, energy efficiency, water reclamation, and recycling. The Convention Center received a Gold LEED for New Construction Certification in 2003 and was at the time, the largest green building in the world. In 2012, the Convention Center received a Platinum certification under the LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance rating system. It is the first convention center to achieve this ranking and is also the first to earn certifications under two separate LEED rating systems.

Completed

2003

Municipality

City of Pittsburgh

Neighborhood

Downtown Pittsburgh

Certifications

LEED Gold

Key Green Features

2030 District Partner
Accessible to Transit
Bird-Friendly Design
Brownfield Remediation
Construction Waste Diversion
Daylighting
Green Roof
Greywater System
Habitat Protection and Restoration
Heat Island Reduction
Indoor Air Quality Monitoring
Materials Selection (Healthy)
Materials Selection (Local)
Materials Selection (Salvage and Reuse)
Native Landscaping
Natural Ventilation
On-site food production
Stormwater Management

Building Use

Assembly
Entertainment
Multi-Use
Other

Awards Received

Green GOOD DESIGN™ Award, The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies and the Chicago Athenaeum (2010), International Illumination Design Award, Illuminating Engineering Society (2005), President's Award, Metal Construction Associations (2004), Merit Award, AIA New York (2004), Award of Merit, Eighth Annual Design Awards, Society of American Registered Architects New York (2003), Commercial Project of the Year, Engineers' Society of Western Pennsylvania (2003), IALD Award of Excellence (2006), IES Illumination Award of Excellence (2005), A|L Virtuous Achievement Awards Best Incorporation of Daylight (2005), 28th Annual Cooper Lighting SOURCE Award (2004)

Building Size

1,207,700

Building Owner

Sports & Exhibition Authority, Allegheny County

Project Team

Rafael Vinoly Architects, Turner Construction, Burt Hill Koser Rittelmann Associates, PJ Dick, ATS, AMEC, Dewhurst MacFarlane & Partners, CTG Energetics, LAM Partners, Stantec, GolDriveeich Engineering, Chilton Engineering, Mascaro Construction, Energy & Environmental Solutions, EvolveEA