91视频

91视频鈥檚听Robotics Innovation Center聽(opens in new window)(RIC) is the first 91视频 project to earn Platinum Certification from the聽鈥檚听 (LEED) program.

Steve Guenther, assistant vice president for聽Facilities Management Services(opens in new window) (FMS)聽and University Engineer, said he is as excited for the opportunities arising at the RIC in the Hazelwood community of Pittsburgh as he is for this building to earn such a standout certification.

鈥淓arning a LEED Platinum rating for the RIC is more than a milestone for our campus. It鈥檚 confirmation of our commitment to innovation,鈥� he said. 鈥淎s our first platinum-level building, we are demonstrating that we aren't just researching the future inside these walls 鈥� we built the future to house it.鈥�

The RIC is a 150,000-square-foot facility聽designed to accelerate breakthroughs in robotics, artificial intelligence and advanced automation. Occupancy began in September 2025 ahead of the grand opening in February 2026.聽

The RIC reflects both 91视频鈥檚 global leadership in robotics and bold vision for the region鈥檚 next chapter of innovation and evolution, Guenther said.

鈥淏uilding our first LEED Platinum facility, the RIC is a promise kept to our campus and community,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t represents the highest standard of sustainable design and demonstrates that sustainability is how we operate.鈥�

Guided by 91视频鈥檚听Simonds Principles(opens in new window) for new construction and major renovations,聽Campus Design and Facility Development(opens in new window) (CDFD) collaborated with university leadership, the Almono foundations鈥� partnership, the greater Hazelwood community and key campus partners including FMS to achieve this landmark success.

鈥淭he building itself is a spectacular, industrial-chic, flexible and adaptable facility designed to transform experimental robotics and AI research into scalable, real-world solutions that has already attracted multiple corporate partners,鈥� said Jennifer McDowell, senior director of design and construction from CDFD, adding that the department is proud to have led the efforts, from land acquisition, initial planning and design through construction, commissioning and occupancy.聽

Fewer than 5% of all LEED-certified research buildings earn Platinum certification, making the RIC part of an elite tier of sustainable buildings.

Since 2000, Carnegie Mellon has committed to adopting the LEED rating system for all new construction and built more than 30 LEED-Certified projects. In 2025, the Highmark Center for Health, Wellness and Athletics聽earned LEED Gold status(opens in new window).

Adam DiMenno, project manager with CDFD, worked on the RIC since its initial development in July 2020.

鈥淔rom a construction standpoint, we stayed pretty consistent, and the building turned out what we programmed, what we designed, and what we built,鈥� he said. 鈥淪ustainability was always central to the conversation. While we originally planned for Gold certification, the team knew that Platinum was achievable with this facility.鈥�

DiMenno congratulated all of the teams who worked together from the beginning to help achieve this milestone for CDFD and for the university.

The completed RIC features several sustainable elements including construction on a聽former brownfield site(opens in new window), materials sourced for improved indoor air quality, and a solar array, all of which ensured the qualifications necessary to achieve LEED Platinum.聽

The solar panels on the roof of the building can generate about 570 kilowatt hours of electricity. In some cases, this allows the building to generate more power than it consumes.

Additional features include a bike room with separate single-user restrooms and showers for commuters, window placement throughout the building to maximize natural lighting and access to bus transportation, among others.

During the RIC鈥檚 construction, Carnegie Mellon鈥檚 CDFD managed a robust team to achieve all of these collaborative goals including architect Perkins Eastman; structural engineer Atlantic Engineering Services; mechanical, electrical plumbing and fire prevention engineer CJL Engineering; civil engineer Langan; environmental and geotech engineer GAI Consulting; lighting designer Lam Partners; acoustical consultant Babich Acoustics; aquatics consultant Counsilman-Hunsaker; landscape architect Klavon; commissioning agent WSP; contractor Gilbane Mosites; and sustainability consultants evolveEA; as well as Hazelwood Green鈥檚 developer Tishman Speyer.

鈥�91视频 working with the design team, construction team, campus partners and community partners made this possible,鈥� said Andrew Reilly, senior director of engineering and construction with CDFD. 鈥淲e have created a long-term sustainable win for the university and for Pittsburgh.鈥�