Saint Vincent College officials announced Davis Gardner Gannon Pope Architecture (DGGP) of Pittsburgh has been selected as the architects for The Fred M. Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children's Media and the new Saint Vincent College Conference Center and Exhibition Hall.

The "green" building will include a variety of design features for sustainability, and the College will apply for national Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. These include super-insulated construction, daylight and natural ventilation, high-efficiency mechanical and electrical systems, storm water management on site and water conservation controls.

The entire facility will be outfitted with state-of-the-art technology for communications and presentation, including capabilities for video teleconferencing and multimedia displays.

Other elements of the overall facility include a display and storage area for the Foster and Muriel McCarl Coverlet Collection and a welcome area and a connection to existing walking trails and the adjacent Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve. Parking will be provided for 350 cars.

The firm has won numerous awards for its work including Top Ten Green Building Award 2005, a national award by the American Institute of Architects, a number of Honor Awards for the Pittsburgh Glass Center from the Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, Project of the Year Award for 2001 from the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Commercial Builders Council, Energy Conservation Award 2000 from the Department of Environmental Protection and the Design Excellence Award 1996 from the National Association of Seniors Housing.

The building program will be funded by public and private sources. Funding commitments include $5 million from the Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, $5 million for the Business/Conference Center from the Richard King Mellon Foundation and $1 million from the Heinz Endowments.

It is expected that site design will get underway in January 2006. Construction is scheduled to commence in June 2006 and be completed by January 2008.

For more information, visit The Fred M. Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children's Media website.

(courtesy Green Building Alliance)

12/30/2005