frick environmental center

Frick Environmental Center It is a Certified Living Building, Which has also has achieved LEED Platinum status based on the US Green Building Standard. The manifestation of natural elements: wind, sun, water on the physical world is possibly society’s earliest and most long-standing connection to beauty. The Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority Landfill Gas-to-Energy project in Pennsylvania produced the offsets, which were certified by Climate Action Reserve, a Green-e Certified landfill gas carbon offset provider. This is realized through linking two historical features, the gatehouses and fountain, to the new, state-of-the-art facility and showcases how true sustainability is as much about technology and systems as it is about resiliency and beauty. Unfortunately, the team met with a material supply shortage from the originally vetted source. Passive buildings engage with active occupants, and thus, conscious reduction of energy use by all building occupants helps further reduce energy consumption while providing teachable opportunities. The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy pursued a habitat exchange for the Frick Environmental Center through a donation to the Allegheny Land Trust (ALT), directed to the protection of a 5-acre portion of a larger property known as Devils Hollow. I01-E5 4/2010: There is a hillside seep/topographic depression palustrine wetland within the project boundary, about 15 meters from the building. To achieve this, the forms and materials selected for the project reflect the beauty of the surrounding park and are intended to nurture a deep connection between visitors and nature. Secondary treatment is provided by a recirculating sand filter to further allow for biological digestion. Products were assigned to individuals on the design team for vetting of Red-List materials and appropriate sourcing. As the first free-admission, municipally-owned, public facility to pursue the Living Building Challenge, the project is designed to be welcoming and inclusive for all. Recycled formwork was used for concrete work. A service barn, outdoor amphitheater, as well as the gatehouses and fountain, complete the site. Symmetry between the structure and landscape promotes harmony, and the extensive use of wood in the building’s exterior, interior, and furnishings lends a natural feel. As part of the original park masterplan, it provides a gathering place for community congregation, but achieving the height its design originally intended would greatly impact the project’s energy and water demands. An outside fountain ensures the omnipresence of water, with its accompanying sights and sounds. The site’s natural sub-drainage divide aligns with the historic allée. Smoking is prohibited throughout the site and park. From meadow to open woodland to wetland, each planting area preserves its particular habitat within the diverse larger ecosystem, helping to promote the experiential learning that is core to the Center’s mission. All subcontractors were required to comply with the plan throughout the project. Concepts of what make the Environmental Center and entrance to Frick Park beautiful from past generations are respected in the current design. The Frick Environmental Center was recently awarded LEED Platinum certification, and is currently in the performance review period for the Living Building Challenge, widely regarded as the world’s most rigorous and complete building standard. It is also designed to achieve Net Zero Energy, and to manage all storm and waste water on site while employing passive and hi-tech measures to maintain healthy indoor air quality, clean water, and comfortable lighting. Finally, the overall site design celebrates important project philosophies: an appreciation of history and an adoption of new technologies. The three demonstration gardens on site provide valuable learning opportunities, with lessons in history, agriculture, and biodiversity integral to their stories. The new four-acre site renews a century-old cycle of stewardship between the city and the park with a design that nestles into the side of the existing slope, sheltered by a simple roof that rests on slender columns. Frick Environmental Center with Bohlin Cywinski Jackson As a self-sustaining building and landscape, the new Environmental Center demonstrates how humans can remain engaged in the natural world surrounding them. Disposable material from everyday activity is separated at triple-receptacle waste stations located throughout the building and public site. All regularly occupied areas have abundant daylight, views of nature, and access to fresh air provided by operable floor-to-ceiling wood windows. The Frick Environmental Center had to carefully monitor water use to meet the net-positive water requirement for the Water petal due to unexpected influxes of visitors. Situated at the edge of the wooded Frick Park, the Frick Environmental Center brings the biophilic benefits of the outdoors in. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, The Frick Environmental Center is a welcome facility, education hub, and gateway to one of the city’s largest parks. Ample street parking, wide sidewalks, and bike paths lead directly from the neighborhoods to the site’s entrance. The authentic palette of regionally sourced materials are intended to weather and patina with the seasons. A local grant program for small construction companies seeking assistance with the cost of emission reductions was publicized to contractors, as no diesel-fueled, off-road, compression ignition vehicles of 25hp or more were permitted to idle for longer than five consecutive minutes. Wastewater is treated and discharged on-site using an underground treatment system and drip irrigation field. Through education, the care and compassion for the diverse plants and animals found in Frick Park is instilled in future generations. The Frick Environmental Center includes the new Center; restored historic gatehouses and fountain; visitor parking; a service barn; and extensive landscaping and ecological restoration. Throughout construction, a materials conservation management plan was followed to promote diversion of construction waste. Upon learning of the risk that the land would not remain publicly accessible, the Allegheny Land Trust chose to accept the property as a gift from the LSCWA, despite not having the immediate funds to cover the transaction and long-term stewardship costs. Reusable dishes, glasses, and utensils are used in the kitchens, and minimal area for physical file storage discourages the printing of unnecessary documents. Located in Frick Park in Pittsburgh, the new Environmental Center replaced one that had burned down more than a decade earlier. The Center and surrounding landscape sit on approximately 35 acres of wooded hillside in Frick Park. Reduced-flow and ultra-high efficiency plumbing fixtures decrease water demand, helping the project to achieve net-zero water. As always, the education programs use the entire park as a classroom. The garden features a number of plants, including tomatoes, okra, and sweet potatoes, and ties closely with other on-site education programs, as well as an exhibit installed at the Heinz History Center in downtown Pittsburgh. Standard precautions include the generous floor mats installed inside and outside the five entrances that keep the inside air free of the dust and other particulate matter that often comes with muddy shoes(a regular occurrence for Center visitors who utilize the unpaved Frick Park trails). The original Frick Environmental Center, completed in 1979, originally housed the City's Environmental Education Program and for many years hosted ecological and other programs related to the park. The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy was delighted to learn of the opportunity to satisfy the Habitat Exchange Imperative by supporting this endeavor of the Allegheny Land Trust. The 2017 Earth Day celebration offered similar opportunities with energy, water, and Petal tours. Access to daylight is abundant within the Center. The Center is not connected to the City sewer system. All of this is accomplished despite the Center, as a transect L1 project, not being subject to this Car Free Living Imperative. Three major bus routes stop within a short walk of the facility, and there is ample parking for those who drive to the site. The Construction Manager held pre-bid conferences for the subcontractors, describing the theories behind the LBC Certification and the materials vetting process and requirements. Pittsburgh’s parks are free to all, regardless of age, background, or socioeconomic class. In fact, when the park was first planned nearly a century ago, the designers chose to not transect the park with any through roads. The water playfully meanders down the hillside of the amphitheater, continuing its journey to the wetlands below, helping to restore this section of Nine Mile Run, which has been historically susceptible to erosion from flooding. 8 reviews of Frick Environmental Center "The Frick Environmental Center is the center of nature education at Frick Park. The Center affords the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy the opportunity to expand existing environmental education programs to a broader audience. The gallery bridge leads to and from the building with a gentle arc that curls away from the paved pathway of the neighborhood to the surrounding wooded paths of the park. Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is passionate about environmental education and this commitment manifests in all aspects of the Frick Environmental Center. These programs, which today reach nearly 1700 students from varying neighborhoods, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds from over twenty schools, are expected to grow over the years with the additional capacity of the new Center. The Frick Environmental Center is a living ecosystem for environmental education, inspiring visitors to explore the natural world while simultaneously asking them to contend with the impact of our humanity in a dynamic environment—one that we are part of, yet inherently distanced from. Black locust was selected for its place-based solution – farmers and ranchers in southwest Pennsylvania have used this species as fencing and barn siding for generations because of its resiliency and resistance to rot. The beloved and well-used Frick Park connects eight distinct city neighborhoods through an interwoven system of public trails. 2005 Beechwood Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15217-1726. The Frick Environmental Center is a Living Building dedicated to experiential environmental education. Each product was organized by specification division in a materials tracking spreadsheet. Many efforts were made to reduce carbon emissions during design and construction of the Center. Short privacy dividers between workstations create personal, acoustically-managed spaces while also allowing daylighting and views for everyone. Situated along the eastern edge of the park, the Center is highly accessible by foot, car, and public transportation. Maintained by a small volunteer workforce, the landscaping is designed to embrace natural succession. Staff use laptops, which consume less energy than desktop computers, and watt meters are available for individuals to monitor their personal plug loads. Frick Park, which includes the original 151 acres donated by Frick as well as 493 additional acres added over the years, is one of Pittsburgh’s most popular parks. Projector screens and the room divider in the main classroom are operated manually, and staff workstations are outfitted with hand-cranked adjustable, sit-stand desks. Nature & Parks. 2005 Beechwood Boulevard; Pittsburgh , PA 15217 Phone: 412.422.6538; Explore Nearby There is a problem with the data. Among the concepts that resonated during these investigations were the celebration of water, a merging of indoor and outdoor spaces, an outside public amphitheater, and overall, the creation of a place that welcomes all people. Intensive community outreach and engagement took place during all phases of planning, design, and construction, and continues well into operation. For the rain screen veneer on the primary building envelope, a reverse board and batten black locust was selected. The public living room, classrooms, and main corridor all have plentiful light, views, and windows. Smoking is not only prohibited within the site boundary but is prohibited at all City parks. Inside the building, the restrooms, kitchen, and copy/print rooms are properly exhausted to the outdoors and keep odors contained by being kept at a negative pressure. Interpretive signage has been installed at interior and exterior building locations, a virtual tour is included on the Conservancy’s website, and a public dashboard with real-time building operation data and educational material will soon provide for a rich, educational experience for those on self-guided explorations. Review Highlights “Beautiful hike” Beautiful park. If full transparency was not able to be achieved for a product, the submittal was noted to require a letter of advocacy sent to the necessary party. However, by choosing a regional product, the design team was able to source from multiple vendors within the appropriate sourcing distance, thus limiting the inconvenience such a shortage would have caused had a more exotic species or product been chosen. The environmental center features a public living room and gallery; classrooms for K-12 environmental education programs; and offices, storage, and support space for staff. Mike Cornell, the Naturalist Educator, coordinates the volunteer naturalists and building docents. Frick Environmental Center. Being able to minimize the volume of water used in the fountain, while still achieving the biophilic visual and audible properties of moving water was the goal. The new three-story building is nestled into an existing slope and sheltered by a simple roof resting on slender columns. For those too remote to travel, Owner Architect Contractor (OAC) meetings were administered via large screen monitors and teleconferencing. The building serves the mission of preservation, conservation, and interpretation of the parks and their ecological systems, including wetlands. A more concise brochure is available to staff and visitors who interface with the systems at the user level. The Frick Environmental Center, unveiled to the public in September, is the world’s first municipally owned, Living Building Challenge-targeted project. Like the environmental education programs offered, the experience of the building is intended to promote awe, curiosity, and love for the natural world. In keeping with the Center’s educational mission, the signage and on-site compost demonstration areas educate people about the importance of properly sorted and directed waste streams. The Frick Environmental Center is a living learning center for experiential environmental education. There are plentiful opportunities for hands-on interaction with the gardens, which include several wheelchair accessible raised beds. Frick Environmental Center, a certiﬁed Living Building that connects children and park visitors with the natural beauty of the park. Many steps were taken to ensure healthy air inside the building. The Frick Environmental Center is a three-story building, with basement, that serves as the welcome center for historic Frick Park located on the eastern edge of the city. Now occupying the building, the Conservancy staff continues to pay attention to conservation and reuse. To achieve the optimum balance of fresh air, comfort, and carbon dioxide levels, sensors are located throughout the building to monitor temperature, humidity, and CO2. A greater challenge was managing the water demand from the historic fountain. The site is served by three public bus routes within a short walking distance, offers bicycle racks, and incorporates several prominent trailheads. 104 Reviews #33 of 181 things to do in Pittsburgh. During rainstorms, a curtain of water cascades from the building’s rooftop and is directed through an artistically designed ravine, which then flows into the wetlands below. Subcontractors filled in information about the product sourcing and material composition, in addition to including safety data sheets, cut sheets, and any additional required information. The project builds upon a long history of design excellence by restoring and enhancing many of the site’s original historic features, including gatehouses designed by John Russell Pope, as well as an allée and fountain, which were part of the original Innocenti and Webel 1935 Masterplan. Child-sized entry doors adjacent to standard-sized doors playfully instill a pride of ownership for the many children who visit. Native flowers, including bee balm, coreopsis, and sunflowers color the site through spring, summer, and fall, attracting bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies, and providing beauty and education for all. Be it children playing on the outdoor amphitheater or a gathering of neighbors enjoying the park views from the building’s Living Room, the Center welcomes all to participate with a Living Building and be immersed in this natural urban refuge. The new Environmental Center will integrate innovative educational facilities, both indoor and outdoor, with a public park that is a complex ecosystem, historic landscape, and recreational property. Free and open to all, this cutting-edge facility enhances visitor experience and inspires learners to discover one of Pittsburgh’s largest parks. The Center is defined by its celebration of water. Working within this neglected, greyfield site situated at the entry of an active public park presented several challenges, including managing vegetative overgrowth, invasive species, erosion, flooding, and water and soil pollution. The project uses a relief air energy recovery enthalpy wheel to precondition fresh air. Installations such as the Rain Veil and Rain Ravine, the reimagined historic fountain, the PV Solar Array, and a natural palette of regionally sourced materials all showcase the value and utility of sustainable design and aim to instill current and future generations with the pride of ownership and understanding that begets long-term stewardship.Black Locust wood, concrete, aluminum, steel, and glass are arranged to harmonize with the surrounding forest. The building and its four-acre site act as a gateway to Pittsburgh’s wooded 644-acre Frick Park and embody the neighborhood-to-nature ideal that served as inspiration for the park’s formation more than 90 years ago. Green cleaning and purchasing guidelines ensure the products used to operate the building are free of harmful chemicals. The Frick Environmental Center is a leading green building located in Pittsburgh, USA. It was important to provide employees a flexible and productive work environment, as they are often in the parks, communities, and classrooms. When planning the net-zero energy strategy for the Frick Environmental Center, passive design ideals were prioritized to minimize energy usage, before designing mechanical means to offset that usage. Demolition at the site was completed and construction began in late-2014. First, the Red-List and Distance Sourcing compliance process was outlined in detailed flow charts – standardizing the approach to each product. The staff kitchen and craft room, located near the interior of the floor, have windows to adjacent exterior rooms that allow them to share views of the park, and ‘ghost corridors’ along the south facing wall of windows in the classrooms and office space allow for equitable access to panoramic vistas. The design builds on historical precedent that was established by both the original Innocenti & Webel Frick Park master plan and John Russell Pope-designed gatehouses. Frick Environmental Center; Tiffany & Co. Times Square Flagship Store Hong Kong; Onondaga Lake Science Center; Science, Technology & Innovation Center; About; Contact; Projects. Designed to be LEED Platinum and Living Building Challenge certified, the award-winning Center serves as a living classroom for science and nature-related exploration. Once bids were awarded to subcontractors, the team provided the subcontractors with access to the materials tracking spreadsheet and all the product data compiled. At the time the Center was registered for Living Building Challenge in 2012, the path to certification was relatively unchartered territory; only three Living Certified projects were available resources and none of these projects were programmatically similar to the Center. The Center, set within the public Frick Park, strives to be universally accepting and non-discriminating. The design team balanced life cycle assessment with programmatic requirements on the level of quality necessary for this 100-year facility. Furthermore, the Frick Environmental Center replaced an abandoned center built in 1979 on the same site, which burned in 2002. Biophilic design on site highlights this integral beauty by showcasing natural systems in an interactive and abbreviated fashion such as the water veil that falls from our roof and meanders through the “Rain Ravine”. A variety of vegetables and herbs: parsley, potatoes, and squash, among others, were selected by the Conservancy’s Education Team. As a joint venture between the City of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, the new Environmental Center will serve as a gateway to Frick Park—the city’s largest public park at 644-acres—and embody the “neighborhood to nature” ideal that served as inspiration for its formation more than 80-years ago. Red List compliance has ensured the use of healthy materials, and following established green cleaning guidelines has continued the facility’s commitment to healthy products. Due to the regular and often torrential rainstorms, the majority of the region’s buildings and infrastructure have historically regarded rainwater and stormwater as a liability. For instance, far more people came out to Frick Park to watch the Great American Eclipse in 2017 than initially predicted, and a lot of them used the restroom. Laptops, as opposed to towers at most workstations, enable users to move about the space and work where they desire or hold meetings at one of the outdoor spaces. In that spirit, everyone is welcome to experience nature on the site as they desire, from relaxing in the amphitheater on a lazy spring afternoon, to tasting a freshly-picked ripe tomato from the vegetable garden on a hot summer’s evening, to embarking upon an exhilarating walk with a dog on a crisp winter morning. Frick Environmental Center, Majestic Lane, Millvale EcoDistrict, & Michael Kuhn recognized at GBA’s 2017 Emerald Evening Green Building Alliance (GBA) hosted our 2017 Emerald Evening on September 21, providing the opportunity to honor some of the people, projects, and initiatives that are transforming the region’s built environment. The Frick Environmental Center is a living, learning tool that promotes environmental resource stewardship. The market garden is symbolic of the economic freedom that agriculture and knowledge of nature can provide. However, though these are helpful for initial vetting, they do not contain 100% of the ingredients, which is necessary for Red List compliance. The Declare database had not yet been launched, and few manufacturers were familiar with the concept of materials transparency. From there, the rainwater channels into the Rain Ravine – a stepped sandstone water feature evocative of the shale geology of the region. Electronic drawing exchange was adopted to provide real-time updates and seamless file synchronization over Wi-Fi and cellular networks, reducing the amount of paper traditionally seen on the job site. To promote sustainability, a non-peat, recycled paper alternative called Pitt Moss was used to aerate the soil at the drip field. The Frick Environmental Center, the first free and public, municipally-owned, Living Building-certified project in the country is a world-class center for experiential environmental education. Abutted by dense and walkable neighborhoods, Frick Park is closed to public vehicular traffic inside its boundaries. Good indoor air quality was highlighted as leading to a superior work experience. For these performance and aesthetic reasons, the popularity of black locust has grown exponentially, causing an unexpected increase in demand during the Center’s construction. Point-of-use water heaters, as well as daylight and occupancy sensors help ensure the building is only using electricity when needed. The indoor/outdoor spaces, such as the outdoor classroom, balcony, and private staff porch, enable employees to engage with nature; while the gracefully curving, glass-lined main corridor visually encourages visitors to keep moving through the building and back into nature.