Thoughts

our ideas from the intersection of sustainability and the built environment

“Completing the Loop” Wins AIA National Award for Urban Design

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evolve environment :: architecture and Riverlife were honored by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for the “Completing the Loop” plan, which outlines a 10-year vision to connect, enhance, and expand Pittsburgh’s network of riverfront parks, trails, and public green spaces.

University of Pittsburgh Achieves Its First LEED Platinum Certification for Salk Hall Renovation

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Salk Hall is the first LEED Platinum certification for the University of Pittsburgh. As sustainability consultants, evolveEA helped the 99,777 sf renovation achieve this top-level certification for the 82-year-old building that is home to the School of Pharmacy and the School of Dental Medicine.

Thoughts

Broadening the Role of the Architect

The American Institute of Architects recently hosted a national panel of experts to discuss the three large issues currently facing our society – Social Justice, Covid-19 and Climate Change. Panelist Marc Mondor contributes his viewpoints at the intersection of these opportunities.

The Role of Design in Social Justice

It is disingenuous to talk about investment and disinvestment as inevitabilities of an agnostic economy. Designers for social justice will actively seek out more ways to elevate the public from passive critics into full-fledged design investors and collaborators, and approach our process as a moment of reconciliation between community and the economic development and design disciplines.

Measuring Our Impact:
evolve’s 2019 Report

evolveEA is dedicated to Triple Bottom Line success: we measure the impact of our business not only in terms of the economy, but also the environment and social equity. Mission-driven organizations are challenged to find ways to assess our impact that go beyond conventional business metrics and financial reporting standards

Our Evolving Strategies for Optimizing Existing Buildings

Even though the global pandemic brought most of the world to a halt, building operations still continued. We recognize the challenges COVID brought to building benchmark measurements and applaud two of our clients who were able to attain Energy Star certification despite the hurdles: DMI Industries headquarters in Charleroi, PA, and the historic 411 Seventh Avenue building in Downtown Pittsburgh.

Engaging Pittsburgh Online to Plan for More Vibrant Riverfronts

Over the past year, evolveEA has been assisting the Riverlife Pittsburgh team in crafting a vision to "Complete the Loop" of riverfront trails and parks, and has creatively engaged thousands of people through meetings and online. One of our highlights from this process was the Riverlife StoryMap.

Our Covid Capabilities Statement

evolveEA offers targeted services to assist cities, communities, organizations, and enterprises with a variety of pandemic-related challenges.