Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation (Benedum Annex) (LEED Gold, 2012)

Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation

The Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation (MCSI) is located at 3700 O’Hara Street on the University of Pittsburgh’s main campus. The Center engages students, faculty and staff as well as the community to explore and experience sustainability in practice and performance in ways such as sustainability-focused curriculum, groundbreaking research, and community outreach and innovation. From supporting undergraduate summer research to educating the Pittsburgh community on sustainability concepts, MCSI is truly making a difference.

MCSI’s 22,000 ft2 space in the Benedum Hall annex received a LEED Gold certification in 2012.

Green Building Highlights

Mercury-free LED lights that last longer and use less energy.
Windows with high performance glazing, which reduce heat loss and help minimize building-wide energy consumption.
Lab equipment mechanical controls that help reduce energy usage, saving money.
Reflective TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) roof that minimizes heat absorption, which helps reduce the need for AC.
Low-flow plumbing fixtures, which help reduce building water use by 30%.
Two green roofs, one over the auditorium and one to create Benedum Plaza.
Over 95% of construction waste diverted from landfill to recycling or reuse.
Energy-recovery coil system that removes energy from the exhaust air stream and inserts it into the air stream serving the building, providing free energy.
Sensors that adjust indoor lighting by the level of incoming natural light.
Supply of outdoor air pumped indoors is contingent on the interior’s carbon dioxide level.

Architect: Edge Studio

Contractor: Mascaro

Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation (Benedum Annex) (LEED Gold, 2012)