Sustainability at CMU
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certification
The university has committed to adopting the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system for all new construction and significant renovations. LEED provides a framework for healthy, efficient, carbon- and cost-saving green buildings, and LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement. All of our projects are designed and constructed to meet the current version of the LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations (LEED-NC) or LEED for Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI) standard. CMU has established the goal of achieving a minimum of a LEED “Silver” rating.
Less-extensive campus renovations will use the LEED-CI rating system as applicable to their defined scope of work. For example, a project that is exclusively painting might only be eligible for a single LEED point under the Low-Emitting Materials, Paints and Coatings section of the LEED-CI rating system and would be expected to meet the requirements for that point. As the scope of a project broadens, additional sections of LEED-CI would apply.
Pittsburgh 2030 District
The University is committed to the Pittsburgh 2030 District Goals by publishing building performance data and using the stretch goals for energy, water, air quality and transportation.
LEED Certified Gold Buildings
| Building |
Year |
Leed Version |
Square Footage |
| Hall of the Arts & Posner Hall | 2023 | CI 4.0 | 153,101 |
| Fifth and Clyde Residence Hall | 2022 | NC 4.0 | 98,000 |
| Ansys Hall | 2021 | NC 3.0 | 36,000 |
| 2021 | CI 4.0 | 59,100 | |
| TCS Hall | 2021 | NC 3.0 | 90,000 |
| Tepper Quad | 2019 | NC 3.0 | 315,000 |
| 4721 Fifth Avenue | 2019 | NC 3.0 | 24,000 |
| Hamerschlag Maker Wing | 2019 | CI 3.0 | 32,500 |
| Scott Hall | 2017 | NC 3.0 | 107,000 |
| Hamburg Auditorium | 2017 | NC 3.0 | 3,400 |
| Gates and Hillman Centers | 2011 | NC 2.1 | 208,000 |
| GSIA West Entry Addition | 2010 | CI 2.0 | 5,000 |
| Carnegie Mellon Cafe (Resnik) | 2008 | CI 2.0 | 9,400 |
| Mehrabian Collaborative Innovation Center | 2005 | CS 1.0 | 136,000 |
LEED Certified Silver Buildings
| Building | Year Certified | Leed Version | Square Footage |
| Mellon Institute Imaging Facility | 2021 | CI 3.0 | 8,500 |
| 2018 | NC 3.0 | 68,000 | |
| Doherty Hall Renovation MSE | 2015 | CI 3.0 | 11,000 |
| GSIA First Floor | 2013 | CI 2,0 | 7,800 |
| Mellon Institute Renovations | 2012 | CI 2.0 | 12,000 |
| Doherty Hall Phase II | 2010 | CI 2.0 | 91,200 |
| Porter Hall 100 | 2009 | CI 2,0 | 6,800 |
| 407 South Craig Street | 2007 | NC 2.1 | 12,000 |
| 300 South Craig Street | 2007 | NC 2.1 | 68,000 |
| Henderson House | 2004 | NC 2.0 | 15,770 |
| Stever House | 2003 | NC 2.0 | 71,140 |
LEED Certified
| Building | Year Certified | Leed Version | Square Footage |
| Posner Center | 2005 | NC 2.1 | 11,400 |
LEED Registered in Progress
| Building | Leed Version |
| Robotics Innovation Center at Hazelwood Green | NC 4.0 |
| Scaife Hall | NC 4.0 |
| Highmark Center for Health, Wellness and Athletics | NC 4.0 |
| Forbes and Beeler Residence Hall | NC 4.0 |