 | | PNC Firstside Center in Pittsburgh is the largest LEED Silver Certified building in the United States. |
Dick Corporation is an industry leader in “green building” commercial construction. It is a concept that meets strict environmental standards established by the U.S. Green Building Council. The standards cover issues from maximizing the use of recycled materials to construction waste management in meeting the objectives of the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification program.
The four LEED green building certification levels are: LEED Certified, LEED Silver, LEED Gold and LEED Platinum.
Recently, Dick completed construction of the $94 million PNC Firstside Center, the largest LEED Certified Silver level commercial building in the nation. Located in downtown Pittsburgh, the 650,000 square foot building serves as the operations headquarters for PNC Financial.
John Bonassi (JB), director of business development, has championed green building and sustainable design for Dick Corporation since the mid-90s. He also serves as the company’s representative on the U.S. Green Building Council. He and Kevin Swain (KS), director of operations for the Pittsburgh Building Unit, recently discussed the company’s capabilities in green building construction and the growing interest in the concept among architects, engineers and owners.
How much interest in green building construction is there among owners?
JB – We are finding that owners are keenly interested in the concept. The U.S. State Department and GSA are public sector leaders. A lot of private owners also are inquiring about sustainable design project costs. As a company, we have embraced the concept and continually work with owners to familiarize them with its benefits, such as reduced operating and energy costs, improved employee recruitment, satisfaction and retention, and increased productivity.
What determines the classification of a green building?
 | | The PFPC Headquarters, currently under construction in Wilmington, DE, is designed to meet LEED Gold criteria. |
KS – It is based on a LEED rating system that awards points for specific environmentally sound features packaged in the design and construction of a project. For example, PNC Firstside contains four rooftop solar panels that relay the sun’s position to a Building Automated System for temperature control.
The facility also contains recycle rooms to facilitate the collection of recyclable materials.
In addition, PNC Financial is pursuing LEED Gold status for the new world headquarters of a subsidiary, PFPC, in Wilmington, Delaware. And a new PNC branch in New Jersey expects to be LEED certified.
Why the growing interest in this construction concept?
JB – There’s a national trend to conserve energy and provide a healthy worksite while protecting the environment. Children of the “Baby Boomer” generation grew up learning about environmental issues. Now they are the decision-makers impacting the construction of new facilities and exploring what is called a “smart” or “sustainable” building.
From a construction standpoint, what is involved in becoming a LEED Certified building?
KS – In construction, it starts with site selection. For example, there are LEED points awarded for a brownfield, or locating where public transportation or alternative transportation is available. In reviewing a project, we mention the possibility of constructing a green building if the owner hasn’t already considered the concept. While the project is still in the development stage, we are better able to evaluate the cost and feasibility of building “green”.
That way, we’re in a position to help the owner make decisions that qualify the project for LEED certification. Because of our experience with the concept, we are able to offer suggestions that maximize the efficiency of the construction and operation of the facility.
 | | Skylights and open floors supply the PNC Firstside building with an abundance of natural light. |
We’re talking about site selection, the type of building materials and related products, as well as the construction itself.
How long has Dick Corporation taken an interest in the green building concept?
JB – The company has been sending representatives to the Green Building Alliance and LEED workshops since the mid-90s when the concept was introduced. Since that time, Dick has continued to embrace and implement the concept.
We also are closely aligned with the Pittsburgh-based Green Building Alliance, a non-profit organization that promotes the techniques and benefits associated with green building construction in the Tri-State area.
Owners interested in exploring green building construction are invited to contact us to evaluate their project.
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