Phipps Conservatory’s Center for Sustainable Landscapes Achieves Fitwel 3 Star Rating
For Immediate Release: Wed., April 28
Contact: Joe Reed | Director of Marketing and Communications
412-622-6915, ext. 3801 | jreed@phipps.conservatory.org
New Certification Recognizes Phipps’ Commitment to Advancing Human and Environmental Health
Pittsburgh, PA – Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens announced today that it has achieved Fitwel® 3 Star Rating, their highest rating, for the Center for Sustainable Landscapes (CSL), making it the first and only building to meet six of the world’s highest green building certifications. As one of the world’s leading certification systems committed to building health for all, this rating demonstrates Phipps’ commitment to advancing human and environmental health by implementing health-promoting design and operational strategies.
The CSL earned the highest Fitwel rating of 3 stars by earning points in more than 55 evidence-based design and operational strategies that enhance buildings by addressing a broad range of health behaviors and risks. Fitwel addresses health as an interconnected system, with no single dominant category or area of focus. The seven broader categories include impacts surrounding community health, reduced morbidity and absenteeism, support of social equity for vulnerable populations, instilling feelings of well-being, enhanced access to healthy foods, promoted occupant safety and increased physical activity.
As Phipps’ education, research and administration facility, the CSL is an integral part of the Phipps visitor experience as a "living museum," focusing attention on the important intersection between the built and natural environments, and demonstrating that human and environmental health are inextricably connected. In addition to this prestigious rating, the CSL has also achieved Living Building Challenge certification, LEED® Platinum, SITES™ Platinum, WELL Building Platinum and BREEAM Outstanding In-Use certification.
“Phipps recognizes the important connection between human and environmental health and we are thrilled to have our efforts recognized through Fitwel’s 3 Star rating,” says Phipps President and CEO Richard Piacentini. “We’re proud to have one of the greenest buildings in the world on our campus.”
To learn more about the CSL, visit phipps.conservatory.org/CSL.
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About Phipps: Founded in 1893, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh, PA is a globally recognized green leader with a mission to inspire and educate all with the beauty and importance of plants; to advance sustainability and promote human and environmental well-being through action and research; and to celebrate its historic glasshouse. Encompassing 15 acres including a historic 14-room glasshouse, 23 distinct indoor and outdoor gardens and industry-leading sustainable architecture and operations, Phipps attracts more than half a million visitors annually from around the world. Learn more at phipps.conservatory.org.
Watch TEDx: What We Can Learn From an Old Glasshouse: A look at the evolving way we connect people to nature at Phipps, demonstrate how human and environmental health are inextricably connected, and show that to age gracefully, we must continually reinvent ourselves to evolve with the rest of the world.
