photo by Dominique Hildebrand 
The George Rowland White Performance Center has received gold status from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for its energy efficiency. 

Phipps Conservatory was recently named one of the greenest buildings in Pittsburgh for having its own sustainable resources like energy and water. 

Point Park is adapting some of these transitions by reusing a lot of the materials already in the buildings, reducing water and energy consumptions, and encouraging the students to recycle all over campus. 

“PPU has committed to sustainable construction and renovation for all of its buildings by reusing and adapting existing buildings in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh,” said Chris Hill, Vice President of Operations. 

Phipps has achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) status. Their Center for Sustainable Landscapes meets all the energy and sustainable requirements, making it only the seventh to do so in the world. 

“The key is to create a better outcome for people and the planet,” said Sara Englert on behalf of Phipps 

Their new building will use 80 percent less energy than an office building and generates enough power for 12 homes. In addition to conserving energy, they manage 3.5 million gallons of storm water a year, enough to fill five Olympic swimming pools. 

Point Park also has a LEED certified building. The George Rowland White Performance Center received LEED gold status for its energy efficiency. 

Hill advises students to “Reduce-Reuse-Recycle.” Things such as paper and plastic can be recycled in the bins found throughout the University. Turning off lights and turning down heating or cooling can bring down energy usage, and not leaving water running can help reduce water usage. 

“Point Park does a great job with recycling paper and plastic, but there are not many places for glass,” said junior dance major Hailey Turek 

Derek Monroe, a freshman public relations major, had other suggestions for making Point Park more energy efficient. 

”I wish that in the dorms we could have energy efficient lights or be able to dim them to save energy,” Monroe said in an interview on March 12. 

According to Monroe, having these types of lights all over campus could reduce the energy that students and faculty waste while leaving lights on. Hill advises that students turn their lights off when they can or when they are not using them. 

“The City of Pittsburgh, Phipps Conservatory and Point Park are all taking the initiative and trying to make this world a cleaner place,” said Justine Wiley, a freshman public relations major. 

These renovations will not only affect Phipps, but all of Pittsburgh. 

“In these ways, our commitment to conservation results not only in tremendous savings for Phipps but also reduces demand on the City of Pittsburgh,” Englert said. 

photo by Dominique Hildebrand