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Stever House made history in 2003 when it became the first university dormitory in the U.S. to be LEED certified. The first-year residence hall is a testament to ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿’s commitment to leading in environmental education, technology and stewardship.

The building was originally named New House, due to being the newest residence hall built on campus since the 1990s. It was renamed Stever House in 2008 after H. Guyford Stever—the university’s fifth president. Dr. Stever was president in 1966 when Mellon Institute and Carnegie Tech merged to create ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿. 

Efficiency

Stever House reduces energy and water consumption throughout its design. It has a heat recovery system that preheats incoming fresh air by transferring heat from outgoing stale air. This approach is estimated to reduce energy usage by up to 24% compared to ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ residence halls without this system.

All public spaces and community baths in Stever have automatic lighting and flow controls to reduce energy waste. The building’s high-efficiency HVAC equipment, low-wattage light fixtures and high-performance windows reduce energy consumption by 33% compared to similar buildings. A system was also installed to continuously monitor the building’s power consumption — including lighting power, water use, and cooling and heating loads — to keep track of the building’s energy inputs. 

Transportation

Location and transportation were incorporated into Stever’s building plan. The building provides covered bicycle storage and access to many major bus lines in the Pittsburgh Regional Transit system through nearby Forbes and Fifth Avenues.

Sustainable Sites

During Stever’s construction, the architects used sustainable practices in their transformation of the existing site. Construction crews reduced site erosion by installing silt fences and filters, planting seeds and using mulch.

The vegetation used in the building’s landscape includes native trees and shrubs. These plants are drought tolerant, eliminating the need for a permanent irrigation system. Trees also provide shading for the building and sidewalks, reducing the amount of energy needed for cooling. Many of the species resist freezing and are tolerant of rock salt exposure during the winter. In addition, a lawn mixture was selected that performs well in many climates. Pathways around the building were also paved with light-colored brick to reflect sunlight and reduce heat. Overall, 40% of the paved areas near Stever House are either highly reflective or shaded.

Materials and Resources

Building designers selected locally sourced materials, recycled or recyclable products, and sustainably harvested wood for Stever’s construction. Seventy percent of the wood used for the building’s doors came from sustainably managed forests and 97% of the waste created during Stever’s construction was able to be salvaged, reused or recycled.

The residence hall’s roof was also made with Energy Star compliant PVC that reflects 82% of sunlight. This increases insulation while absorbing less heat, reducing both heating and cooling costs.

Environmental Quality and Atmosphere

Stever House helps support a healthy and sustainable environment for students while also providing more communal lounge space than any other ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ residence hall.

The dormitory employs CO2 sensors to maintain air quality and help with energy savings by only taking in outdoor air when indoor CO2 levels are out of balance. This prevents the need for additional air conditioning or heating to offset the differences in outdoor and indoor air temperatures.

Student rooms receive 100% fresh outdoor air through the building’s enhanced air exchange and ventilation systems. These systems reduce students’ exposure to stagnant indoor air, which can carry pollutants. 

As part of meeting LEED standards, all student rooms also provide ample access to exterior views. 

Team Members

Campus Design and Facility Development worked with the following organizations to complete the project: 

Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, Pittsburgh, PA - Architect
Rycon Construction, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA - Construction Manager