Not only is Phipps Conservatory an aesthetic wonder that offers a respite from the hustle and bustle of Pittsburgh, it is also dedicated to preserving the world around us. When built, it took every opportunity to follow the strict guidelines put in place to become LEED-certified.
LEED-certified buildings are graded against a hierarchy of standards relative to energy and resources consumed during construction, as well as long-term energy consumption once the building is in use. All LEED-certified buildings use less water and power, and emit fewer greenhouse gases, than their non-certified counterparts.
The LEED program also tiers its certifications, granting some projects Platinum status, which is akin to a near-zero impact on the environment. Phipps Conservatory is LEED Platinum Certified with a total score of 63/69. That means the building actually produces more energy than it consumes.
KLIK USA is proud to be a part of such a sustainable, environmentally conscious project. To work within Phipps’ objective to be LEED Platinum, we didn’t need to change anything about our product or installation process. KLIK LEDpods were installed in exterior handrails and interface seamlessly with the wind and solar power that generates the facility’s electricity.
According to Phipps Conservatory, it is the first, and currently only facility, to meet four of the highest green certifications:
- Living Building Challenge, the world’s most rigorous green building standard
- LEED® Platinum, tied for the highest points awarded under version 2.2
- First and only Four Stars Sustainable SITES Initiative™ (SITES™) for landscapes project (pilot)
Being a part of the LEED-certified installation at the beautiful Phipps Conservatory is a project we can feel good about, especially knowing no extra effort or steps were needed to fit KLIK LEDpods into such a green project.
(Exterior building photos; Paul G. Wiegman. All other photos; KLIK USA.)