Pittsburgh green building expert to make his case

The Architectural Foundation of Cincinnati (AFC) and the Civic Garden Center of Greater Cincinnati are co-sponsoring "Making the Business Case for Green Building" this evening at 5 PM at the First Unitarian Church, 536 Linton Place in Avondale.

Gary Jay Saulson, director of corporate real estate for PNC Financial Services Group and a leader in the Pittsburgh green building industry, will be the featured speaker.

As head of PNC Bank's sustainable building program, which has constructed more green buildings than any other company in the world, Saulson will discuss why building green makes sense for corporate America.

PNC currently has Three PNC Plaza under construction, a 780,000-square-foot mixed-use project in downtown Pittsburgh that is one of the largest green mixed-use developments in the country.

PNC also has developed a new bank branch prototype that follows LEED building standards, and is the first company to qualify under the U.S Green Building Council's volume-build program.

AFC executive director Sue Ann Painter says that the program should appeal to a general audience, though it will be of special interest to business owners, designers, contractors, developers, civic leaders and students.

So where does Cincinnati rank when it comes to green building awareness?

"It depends on how one measures awareness," Painter says.  "In terms of practice, the Cincinnati Public Schools decision that all new construction be green puts Cincinnati out front in achievement.  And that came about through community awareness."

Admission is $20 in advance or $25 at the door, and reservations can be made by contacting the Civic Garden Center at (513) 221-0981 x18.

Admission includes a post-program reception with food, drinks, and jazz.

The program is AFC’s second in a series on sustainable design.

In 2006, AFC presented "The Greening of Chicago", highlighting some of the sustainable public projects undertaken in the Windy City.

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: Sue Ann Painter, executive director, Architectural Foundation of Cincinnati
Photo courtesy of the Architectural Foundation of Cincinnati