Pittsburgh Airport Terminal Earns LEED Gold

Pittsburgh International Airport's new terminal and its Customer Service Building have been awarded LEED Gold certification. The U.S. Green Building Council granted the recognition for the facilities' energy efficiency, water conservation, and sustainable design.

A separate Gold certification, called Parksmart, was also given to the airport's new Terminal Garage. Green Business Certification Inc. awarded that honor.

Sustainability Features

The LEED program judges buildings on several criteria. These include energy and water use, material selection, indoor air quality, and waste management. The new terminal at PIT incorporates many features that meet these standards.

It uses energy-efficient building systems and smart controls. Water conservation measures and sustainable waste management practices are in place. The airport also used responsible and locally sourced materials in its construction. Design elements aimed at improving indoor air quality and occupant well-being are part of the facilities.

Chad Willis, the Allegheny County Airport Authority's Vice President of Planning, Environmental and Sustainability, explained the decision to seek certification. "PIT pursued Gold certification for all three projects because the facilities were already being designed as modern, energy-efficient buildings," he said. He noted that since sustainable features were part of the base design, it made sense to formally recognize the projects' performance.

Parking and Design Philosophy

The Terminal Garage's Parksmart Gold certification evaluates parking operations, sustainability, and the driver experience. Key features that contributed to the rating include energy-efficient lighting, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and technologies designed to make parking more efficient.

The terminal's overall design follows PIT's NaTeCo philosophy, which stands for Nature, Technology, and Community. This approach incorporates natural light, sustainable materials, and design elements inspired by the local landscape.

Broader Airport Initiatives

The LEED certification is part of a wider sustainability program at the airport. A significant component is a microgrid that began operating in 2021. It combines natural gas and solar power generation to supply the airport's electricity.

The new terminal project also includes four outdoor terraces. The first of these, a 36,000-square-foot terrace, opened in July 2026. It features seating, landscaping, and a walkway. A sustainable water system is in use there; rainwater collected from the terminal roof supplies water for the terraces.