Pitt-Johnstown’s Murtha Building Gets a Green Thumbs Up with LEED Certification
You know that feeling you get when you finally finish a big project? Yeah, the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown knows it well. They’re basically glowing after snagging a shiny LEED certification for their newly renovated John P. Murtha Engineering and Science Building. It’s kind of a big deal, proving they’re serious about making their campuses sustainable, one building at a time.
Renovation Details: Out with the Old, In with the Eco-Friendly
This wasn’t just a fresh coat of paint, folks. The Murtha Building got a full-blown makeover, including a swanky new addition built specifically for all things chemical engineering. Think state-of-the-art laboratories that’d make Bill Nye jealous, focusing on stuff like:
- Chemical separation (because who wants a mixed drink when you asked for something neat?)
- Thermodynamics (basically, the science of how energy gets around)
- Heat and mass transfer (sounds complicated, but it’s how your coffee cools down)
- Process control (keeping things running smoothly, like a well-oiled…well, you get it)
- Reaction engineering (think mad scientist stuff, but with less “evil genius” and more “solving the world’s problems”)
And hold up, there’s more! This addition didn’t forget about the humans. It’s also rocking modern classrooms, collaborative study spaces (perfect for those late-night cram sessions), and even comfy faculty offices.
Sustainability Features: Mother Nature Approves
Okay, so new buildings are cool and all, but how exactly is the Murtha Building good for the planet? Let’s break it down, shall we?
Preservation: Waste Not, Want Not
Instead of going full-on demo day, the university decided to be smart about it. They kept a whole bunch of the original building, which means less waste ended up in a landfill. Score one for the environment!
Light Pollution Reduction: Saving the Stars, One Lumen at a Time
Ever notice how some places are so lit up you can practically read a book at midnight? Yeah, not cool for the environment or our sleep schedules. The Murtha Building’s renovation took that into account, using strategies to minimize light pollution. So now, the stars can actually, you know, shine.
Heat Island Effect Mitigation: Keeping it Cool, Literally
Cities tend to be hotter than the surrounding areas, thanks to all the concrete and asphalt absorbing heat. It’s called the urban heat island effect, and it’s not exactly a beach party. The Murtha Building’s design helps combat this by reducing its own heat output, creating a more comfy microclimate for everyone.
Energy Efficiency: Saving the Planet, One Watt at a Time
This is where things get really impressive. The renovation team basically went all out on energy-saving measures, like:
- Energy recovery equipment in the labs (think of it like recycling heat, but way more technical)
- Variable frequency drives for pumps and fans (so they only work as hard as they need to)
- A building automation system (like a brain for the building, making sure everything runs efficiently)
Basically, they thought of everything to make the Murtha Building an energy-saving rockstar.
Pitt-Johnstown’s Murtha Building Gets a Green Thumbs Up with LEED Certification
You know that feeling you get when you finally finish a big project? Yeah, the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown knows it well. They’re basically glowing after snagging a shiny LEED certification for their newly renovated John P. Murtha Engineering and Science Building. It’s kind of a big deal, proving they’re serious about making their campuses sustainable, one building at a time.
Renovation Details: Out with the Old, In with the Eco-Friendly
This wasn’t just a fresh coat of paint, folks. The Murtha Building got a full-blown makeover, including a swanky new addition built specifically for all things chemical engineering. Think state-of-the-art laboratories that’d make Bill Nye jealous, focusing on stuff like:
- Chemical separation (because who wants a mixed drink when you asked for something neat?)
- Thermodynamics (basically, the science of how energy gets around)
- Heat and mass transfer (sounds complicated, but it’s how your coffee cools down)
- Process control (keeping things running smoothly, like a well-oiled…well, you get it)
- Reaction engineering (think mad scientist stuff, but with less “evil genius” and more “solving the world’s problems”)
And hold up, there’s more! This addition didn’t forget about the humans. It’s also rocking modern classrooms, collaborative study spaces (perfect for those late-night cram sessions), and even comfy faculty offices.
Sustainability Features: Mother Nature Approves
Okay, so new buildings are cool and all, but how exactly is the Murtha Building good for the planet? Let’s break it down, shall we?
Preservation: Waste Not, Want Not
Instead of going full-on demo day, the university decided to be smart about it. They kept a whole bunch of the original building, which means less waste ended up in a landfill. Score one for the environment!
Light Pollution Reduction: Saving the Stars, One Lumen at a Time
Ever notice how some places are so lit up you can practically read a book at midnight? Yeah, not cool for the environment or our sleep schedules. The Murtha Building’s renovation took that into account, using strategies to minimize light pollution. So now, the stars can actually, you know, shine.
Heat Island Effect Mitigation: Keeping it Cool, Literally
Cities tend to be hotter than the surrounding areas, thanks to all the concrete and asphalt absorbing heat. It’s called the urban heat island effect, and it’s not exactly a beach party. The Murtha Building’s design helps combat this by reducing its own heat output, creating a more comfy microclimate for everyone.
Energy Efficiency: Saving the Planet, One Watt at a Time
This is where things get really impressive. The renovation team basically went all out on energy-saving measures, like:
- Energy recovery equipment in the labs (think of it like recycling heat, but way more technical)
- Variable frequency drives for pumps and fans (so they only work as hard as they need to)
- A building automation system (like a brain for the building, making sure everything runs efficiently)
Basically, they thought of everything to make the Murtha Building an energy-saving rockstar.
Pitt’s LEED Certification Collection: A Growing Number of Green Stars
With this latest win, the University of Pittsburg is basically collecting LEED certifications like they’re going out of style (spoiler alert: they’re not). The Murtha Building is just one of 18 LEED-certified spaces the university can brag about, totaling a whopping 1.39 million square feet of eco-friendly awesomeness. And let’s not forget about their Johnstown campus, where the Murtha Building joins the ranks of the Nursing & Health Sciences Building (certified in 2015) and the John P. Murtha Center (certified in 2022). Talk about a triple threat of sustainability!
LEED Green Building Rating System: The Gold Standard (or Should We Say, Green Standard?)
Okay, we’ve been throwing around “LEED certification” like it’s everybody’s business, but what does it actually mean? Think of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) as the ultimate report card for green buildings. It’s the most recognized and widely used green building rating system globally, and it’s kind of a big deal.
Basically, buildings earn points for being good citizens of the planet, acing categories like:
- Carbon footprint reduction: Because less carbon dioxide in the atmosphere makes everyone happy.
- Energy efficiency: Think using less energy to do the same stuff, like a superhuman energy saver.
- Water conservation: Every drop counts, right?
- Waste management: Recycling, composting, and generally keeping trash out of landfills.
- Sustainable transportation: Encouraging people to bike, walk, or carpool.
- Material selection: Choosing eco-friendly and recycled materials whenever possible.
- Occupant health and well-being: Creating spaces that are good for both the planet and the peeps inside.
- Indoor environmental quality: Think clean air, natural light, and all-around good vibes.
The more points a building racks up, the higher its LEED rating. It’s like a game, but instead of winning bragging rights, you’re winning a healthier planet.
Learn More about Pitt’s Sustainability Initiatives: Because Going Green is Always in Style
If you’re as impressed by Pitt’s commitment to sustainability as we are (and let’s be real, who isn’t?), you can dive deeper into their green initiatives on their website. Check out their latest sustainability report to see all the amazing things they’re doing to create a brighter, more sustainable future. Go Panthers!
Credits: The Brains and Beauty Behind This Article
Writer: Nick France
Photography: Aimee Obidzinski