from their Fact Sheet
http://www.pnc.com/webapp/unsec/Requ..._FactSheet.pdf
Growing Green
Three PNC Plaza builds on the company’s award-winning commitment to environmental responsibility and green construction.
• PNC has designed and constructed more buildings (38 as of February 2007) based on U.S. Green Building Council standards than any other U.S. company.
• PNC Firstside Center in downtown Pittsburgh is the second largest corporate green building (650,000 square feet) in the nation.
• PNC is the only major U.S. bank to design and construct green branches (36 open in five states that are LEED certified or in the process of being certified and 11 more branches that are under construction as of February 2007).
• Three PNC Plaza is projected to be one of the nation’s largest green, mixed-use buildings.
• To make way for the new building, existing structures were deconstructed instead of demolished and the various components were earmarked for recycling.
o Concrete was crushed into gravel for use in other construction.
o Iron and steel to be recycled.
o Plumbing and other reusable fixtures, such as tin ceiling plates and glass
doorknobs, will be donated to Construction Junction, a non-profit agency.
Sustainability
A central focus of the sustainability strategy for Three PNC Plaza lies in the Triple BottomLine approach, a comprehensive view of how the project at economic, environmental, and community levels. The underlying concept behind this methodology is to define a balance in each of the three categories in order to maintain true sustainability in the built environment. PNC’s efforts to redevelop this part of downtown Pittsburgh with a mixed-use development aligns well with the Triple Bottom Line approach and addresses all three of the major categories. With respect to economics, Three PNC Plaza stimulates growth in the downtown retail and business core; with regard to the environment, the project encourages a denser urban center that creates less sprawl and utilizes existing infrastructure; and on the social level, it helps maintain viability of the downtown community by encouraging more activity. By using this methodology and following the USGBC’s LEED guidelines, the project team is creating a building that is healthy for both occupants and the environment. Under the criteria of this program, Three PNC Plaza’s green design elements will include:
The use of high performance glazing systems, natural light and high efficiency heating and air conditioning systems that enable the project to exceed national energy efficiency standards by 10-15 percent.
A minimum use of 50 percent of construction materials such as structural steel, carpet and ceilings from recycled materials.
Use of refrigerants that minimize or eliminate the emissions of compounds that contribute to ozone depletion and global warming.
Recycling and salvaging construction waste such as wood, steel and cardboard to reduce landfill shipments and space required.
Reduced water use for landscaping (50 percent) and general building use (20 percent).
Using low emitting materials for all interior spaces to reduce contaminants and improve air quality for occupants.
Use of green cleaning materials for all maintenance work in order to eliminate
harmful chemicals inside the building.
Providing an educational program for employees and visitors that explains green building features.
Providing green design guidelines for all future tenants which will be used in
developing their respective spaces to high performance green standards.
Operating the hotel consistent with Fairmont’s Green Partnership Program
Operating the office building consistent with PNC’s Green Practices
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