Design Archives

A man stands under colorful streamers suspended above a garden

Pittsburgh Botanic Garden’s ‘Momentum’ brings color and movement to nature

Isabel Kim·June 27, 2025

The art installation "Momentum" fills Pittsburgh Botanic Garden with color, sound and motion, inviting visitors to reflect on their bond with nature.

Conservation Culture Design Latest Stories Your Environment Update

Large blue and green pipes in an industrial building.

Pittsburgh 2030 District buildings reduce carbon emissions by 50 percent

Kyra McCague·June 11, 2025

The University of Pittsburgh's Central Utility Building is an example of the strides the 2030 District has made to reduce energy and water usage.

Design Energy

a giant daddy long legs sculpture made of wood set against green trees

“Big Bugs” land at the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden

Kara Holsopple·June 26, 2024

The large-scale scultures of David Rogers' Big Bugs + Pollinators highlight the ecological importance of insects and pollinators.

Conservation Culture Design Wild Pennsylvania Wildlife Your Environment Update

A row of beige fireflighter jackets and yellow hats hanging on hooks

College students find greener protections for firefighters

WDIY·May 31, 2024

As a class project, Lehigh University students came up with ways to protect firefighters from dangerous PFAS chemicals on the job.

Design Health News

Eleven people state in front of a duplex holding a large ceremonial ribbon

Unique duplex in State College promotes sustainability and affordability

Sydney Roach·November 7, 2023

The average home value in State College is about $380,000. This renovated passive house is on sale for only $105,000.

Design Energy

The playground at Liberty Green in Larimer

Stormwater Infrastructure Hidden Beneath Two New Pittsburgh Parks

Susan Scott Peterson·September 16, 2021

Pittsburgh's sewer system was built in the 1800s for a much smaller city, and it's notorious for overflowing. But there's a new way to capture stormwater, hidden beneath the green grass of two new parks.

Design Water

Inside one of Pennsylvania’s most energy-efficient buildings

Marie Cusick·July 12, 2019

The building actually generated 75 percent more energy than it consumed–thanks to more than 500 solar panels on the roof, a ground-mounted solar array, and 20 geothermal wells.

Climate Change Design Energy

Art That Grows Awareness and Appreciation for Trees

Kara Holsopple·June 28, 2019

A Pittsburgh artist hopes to reconnect people to trees through Tree Pittsburgh's new exhibit FRUITFUL.

Conservation Culture Design Wild Pennsylvania Your Environment Update

This Machine Will Change The Way You Think About Plastic

Kara Holsopple·August 2, 2018

Plastic has become the poster child for the wastefulness of the modern world. But Dutch designer Bart Bleijerveld says it’s a really useful, even beautiful material. We’re just using it the wrong way.

Design Pollution Technology

A Giant Cheeseburger and the Fight Against Blight

Kara Holsopple·September 23, 2016

Though vacant lots are often seen as the bane of many communities, a group of Pittsburgh artists is trying to reimagine them as an opportunity.

Culture Design

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Trump on Earth

Why Trump’s budget bill could mean ‘America’s electric vehicle surrender’

Atlantic Shores seeks to cancel offshore wind contract with N.J., but says it hasn’t abandoned the project

Despite court order, black lung screening program still not fully functional

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