Pittsburgh — The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC 2003 Greenbuild Conference and Expo will be held in downtown Pittsburgh, Nov. 12 through 14, 2003. The USGBC says the second annual conference will provide an exciting, new, annual “meeting place” for the rapidly expanding green building industry, serve as the pre-eminent showcase for leading-edge green technologies worldwide and deliver an outstanding educational program that highlights benchmarks of sustainability across a broad array of issues—including site location and development, water use, energy, materials, indoor environmental quality, biophelia, health and productivity, financing and more.

This conference and trade show is open to architects, building owners, contractors, developers, engineers, facility managers, government agencies, homebuilders, interior designers, landscape architects, manufacturers and others.

The David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh was chosen as the location for Greenbuild for its “greenness.” Pittsburgh has taken a strong leadership position in green development; most notably, by building the Nation’s first green convention center, according to the USGBC. Upon completion, the 330,000-square-foot center expects to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

The convention center utilizes highly reflective materials to reduce heat islands, a grey water system, indigenous landscaping, natural ventilation and lighting, low-emitting materials, certified wood and recycled content materials. Owned by Sports and Exhibition Authority, the center’s team included Rafael Vinoly Architects, Burt Hill Koser Rittleman Associates, Turner Construction, PJ Dick, ATS, AMEC and the Green Building Alliance.