David L. Lawrence Convention Center
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The David L. Lawrence Convention Center, completed in 2003, is a 1.5 million square foot convention, conference and exhibition building in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It sits at the southern shoreline of the Allegheny River in downtown Pittsburgh. It is the first LEED-certified "green" convention center in North America and one of the first in the world.
Designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects, P.C., the $354 million riverfront landmark contains 313,400 sq. ft of exhibit space (236,900 sq. ft. of which is column-free), 76,500 sq. ft of additional exhibit space, a 31,610 sq. ft. ballroom, 51 meeting rooms, two 250-seat lecture halls, state of the art teleconference and telecommunications capabilities and 4¸500 sq.ft. of retail space (currently in development). The architect, Viñoly, began the design with a goal in mind of achieving the status of a "green" building. In 2003, the building was awarded a Gold LEED (standing for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, making it not only the first ever "green" convention center, but also the largest "green" building in the world.
The current building replaced the former convention center of the same name that was constructed in 1981. The old convention center was 131,000 sq. ft. and lacked a ballroom. Most of the old building was demolished to make way for the current structure which was built on the same site.
The convention center is home to prominent local conventions, such as the Pittsburgh RV Show, Pittsburgh Boat Show, Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show, Piratefest and the acclaimed Pittsburgh International Auto Show. It is quickly becoming one of the most sought after exhibition spaces in the nation, as groups from not only locally, but all over the country have chosen this venue for their events.[citation needed]
[edit] Partial Collapse
On February 5, 2007 , a section of concrete floor from the second floor loading dock collapsed under the weight of a tractor-trailer and fell onto the water feature area below. There were no injuries. Other reports indicate exhibitors being forced to deal with lower weight restrictions than other centers. The building remains closed until investigations by the contractors are completed.
[edit] External links
- David L. Lawrence Convention Center homepage
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
- U.S. Green Building Council
Construction management was by Michael Baker Corporation
Dick Corporation also contracted on the job, along with (fabricator) ADF International of Montreal and Coral Gables, FL and Birdair Corporation of Buffalo (roof erection). The engineer is Dewhurst McFarland & Partners of New York.
The Convention Center is owned and operated by the Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, and is managed by SMG. The Sports & Exhibition Authority has been sued in the past by contractors.
