Introduction

The George B. Duke Engineering & Information Technologies Building at the University of Pittsburgh’s Bradford campus is under construction. Once completed, the building will include teaching and research laboratories, classrooms, student collaboration and support spaces, and more. The building will also be home to existing majors in Energy Science and Technology and Computer Information Systems and Technology; its construction also enables Pitt Bradford to offer the new majors in Mechanical Engineering Technology and Energy Engineering Technology.

The building is pursuing LEED certification and will be over 39,381 square feet.

Green Building Highlights 

• All classrooms, labs, and collaboration spaces have access to forest views and daylight. Natural light reduces the need for electricity.
• LED lights throughout building interior and exterior, which use less energy and last longer
• Strategies like brick fins work to block direct, harsh summer sunlight to reduce indoor energy consumption.
• Use of occupancy sensors, lighting controls that automatically turn off in unoccupied areas, reducing energy waste.
• Low flow plumbing fixtures (e.g., toilets and faucets) reduce water use.
• Sustainable interior materials emit low or no VOCs and contain no added urea formaldehyde.
• Stormwater runoff mitigation, including rain gardens. 
• Rooftop solar array funded by Met-Ed/Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund.

Architect: HED
Contractor: Rycon