David L. Lawrence Convention Center
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The David L. Lawrence Convention Center is a 1.5 million-square foot convention, conference and exhibition building in downtown Pittsburgh in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Completed in 2003, it sits on the southern shoreline of the Allegheny River. It is the first LEED-certified convention center in North America and one of the first in the world.
Designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects, P.C., Dewhurst MacFarlane & Partners and Goldreich Engineering P.C., the $354 million riverfront landmark contains 313,400 sq ft (29,100 m²) of exhibit space (236,900 sq ft (22,000 m²). of which is column-free), 76,500 sq ft (7,100 m²) of additional exhibit space, a 31,610 sq ft (2,940 m²). ballroom, 51 meeting rooms, two 250-seat lecture halls, teleconference and telecommunications capabilities and 4¸500 sq ft (50 m²). 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 Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, making it the first such convention center in the U.S. and 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 (12,000 m²). and lacked a ballroom. All of the old building was demolished to make way for the current structure which was built on the same site.
The building won the 2004 Supreme Award for structural engineering excellence from the Institution of Structural Engineers.
The convention center is home to prominent local conventions, such as Anthrocon, the Pittsburgh RV Show, Pittsburgh Boat Show, Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show, Piratefest, and the acclaimed Pittsburgh International Auto Show.
[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. The building remained closed until investigations by the contractors were completed on March 9, the fault was repaired, and the convention center reopened.
[edit] References
- Toker, Franklin (2007). Buildings of Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh: Chicago: Society of Architectural Historians; Santa Fe: Center for American Places ; Charlottesville: In association with the University of Virginia Press. ISBN 0-8139-2650-5.
[edit] External links
